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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Karnataka bypolls: Over 60 per cent voter turnout in Bagalkot, Davanagere South till 5 pm
Bengaluru (PTI): Over 60 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm in both Assembly constituencies in Karnataka, where bypolls were held on Thursday.
While the turnout in Bagalkot was 65.68 per cent, it was 63.04 per cent in Davanagere South.
While the ruling Congress faces the challenge of retaining both seats, the BJP aims to wrest them and deliver a setback to its rival, which is currently witnessing an "internal power struggle" over leadership.
The bypolls were necessitated due to the demise of senior Congress MLAs H Y Meti (Bagalkot) and Shamanur Shivashankarappa (Davanagere South).
A total of over 2.59 lakh eligible voters are expected to cast their votes at around 319 polling stations in Bagalkot, where nine candidates are in the fray.
In Davanagere South, over 2.31 lakh eligible voters are expected to vote across 284 polling stations, with 25 candidates contesting.
The BJP has fielded former MLA and 2023 defeated candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath from Bagalkot, and a fresh face, Srinivas T Dasakariyappa, from Davanagere South.
The Congress has given tickets to family members of the late legislators in both constituencies. Bagalkot candidate Umesh Meti is the son of H Y Meti, while Samarth Mallikarjun from Davanagere South is the grandson of Shamanur Shivashankarappa.
