Clamour against ‘Hindi imposition�?in Karnataka, CM Siddaramaiah urged to consider two-language policy

TNN / Updated: Mar 7, 2025, 08:51 IST

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Kannada Development Authority has proposed a two-language policy for Karnataka, emphasizing Kannada and English as compulsory languages for education and governance. This proposal aims to address language inequity and reduce the burden on individuals. It also suggests regional language protection. The issue arises amid Tamil Nadu's ongoing dispute with the Centre over its two-language policy.

Clamour against ‘Hindi imposition�?in Karnataka, CM Siddaramaiah urged to consider two-language policy

BENGALURU: Kannada Development Authority (KDA) has written to the chief minister to consider a proposal for Karnataka to adopt a two-language policy.
"Considering the variety of discussions going on regarding the language issue, it seems Karnataka needs a bilingual formula. In any case, I'm seeking your guidance as a suitable decision has to be taken at the govt level in this regard," KDA chief Purushottham Bilimale wrote.
Bilimale also forwarded a copy of a letter he got from Ramesh Bellamkonda, a member of Namma Naadu Namma Aalvike, who cited that there exists a language inequity and injustice in the country, with Hindi being imposed on non-Hindi populations. Ramesh mentioned that a fair and just language policy for Karnataka would be a two-language one wherein the regional language Kannada and English (to facilitate interaction with the outside world) would be the two compulsory languages for Karnataka in education, governance, and general interaction. Kannada should have primacy and English should have second place. Additional facilities for those interested in learning any number of other languages as they see fit, depending on their individual circumstances, should also exist, he argued.
Pointing out that the language burden on the brains of ordinary individuals should be kept to a minimum possible level, Ramesh said imposing too many languages in the course of their day-to-day lives will have an adverse effect on them psychologically, intellectually, and educationally.

He also batted for ensuring fairness for sub-regional languages such as Tulu in consultation with people in the respective sub-regions. "If it was so easy for ordinary human brains to learn many languages in their day-to-day lives, all Hindi-region Indians could learn Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, etc., and not try to impose Hindi on non-Hindi Indians," Ramesh stated in his letter.
The issue comes at a time when Tamil Nadu has been battling the Centre on the state's two-language policy. In Karnataka, as per the Kannada Language Learning Rules-2017, students have to learn Kannada as second language irrespective of the board their school is affiliated with.

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