Govt committed to two-language policy in Karnataka: CM Siddaramaiah
Mysuru, Jun 30 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said that his government is committed to a two-language policy in the state's education system.
There is a demand to adopt a two-language policy--Kannada and English--in Karnataka.
The chief minister's statement came in response to a question citing the government in neighbouring Maharashtra withdrawing its orders on the implementation of the three-language policy in that state.
"We are for a two-language policy. Our government is committed to a two language policy," Siddaramaiah told reporters here.
The Maharashtra government, in the face of mounting opposition to the introduction of Hindi for Classes 1 to 5 in schools, has withdrawn two government orders on the implementation of the three-language policy.
Aam Aadmi Party Karnataka state president Mukhya Mantri Chandru has written a letter to the Chief Minister demanding that the two-language policy be implemented in Karnataka at the earliest.
The ruling Congress party too said that mandating Hindi as a third language in schools, especially in non-Hindi-speaking states like Karnataka, creates discord.
"For speakers of Kannada, Tulu, or Kodava who are fluent in Kannada and English, struggling with written Hindi is a significant challenge--a sentiment shared by many students in linguistically rich regions. This issue transcends a single language; it's about fairness and embracing our diversity," the Karnataka Congress said in a post on 'X'.
"We need dynamic, inclusive language policies that honour local identities, empowering students to master regional languages like Kannada or Tamil while offering Hindi as an option, not a mandate. Let's build an education system that amplifies every voice, celebrating India's diversity as its greatest asset," it added.
Earlier, the Kannada Development Authority (KDA) had also written to the chief minister to consider a proposal for Karnataka to adopt a two-language policy.
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Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
