Kerala FM allays fears over Malayalam Language Bill amid objections from Karnataka
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal on Friday sought to allay concerns over the proposed Malayalam Language Bill 2025, stating that the legislation would not lead to discrimination against any section of society.
Addressing a press conference, Balagopal said, according to Asianet News, “I can assure you of one thing: there will be no discrimination against anyone in the state,” amid criticism from neighbouring Karnataka over the bill’s provisions.
The proposed bill has sparked debate over making Malayalam the first compulsory language across Kerala. Earlier, speaking to the media in Bidar on Friday regarding the issue, Minister Priyank Kharge said language promotion should not turn into enforcement.
“When states were formed, bifurcation was done on the basis of language. In Kasargod, more than 90% of the people speak Kannada. There is nothing wrong with promoting a language, but it should not be enforced,” ANN quoted him as saying.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wrote to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, expressing serious concern over the proposed bill. In his letter, Siddaramaiah warned that making Malayalam compulsory even in Kannada-medium schools could adversely affect minority-run institutions and place additional pressure on students in border regions.
Highlighting India’s linguistic and cultural diversity, Siddaramaiah reportedly said that regions such as Kasargod have historically thrived on linguistic harmony, with Malayalam, Kannada, Tulu, and Beary shaping everyday life.
While reiterating Karnataka’s pride in the Kannada language, he stressed that language promotion must never turn into imposition.
Calling for a review, he urged the Kerala government to reconsider the bill and hold wider consultations with linguistic minorities, educators, and neighbouring states. He maintained that Karnataka would oppose the bill, if passed, using every constitutional means to defend minority rights and uphold the plural spirit of the Constitution.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
