Karnataka vows to oppose Kerala bill mandating Malayalam as first language in schools
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the state would firmly oppose a proposed law by the Kerala government that seeks to make Malayalam the compulsory first language even in Kannada-medium schools. He called it a violation of linguistic freedom and constitutional rights.
In a statement released on Thursday, CM Siddaramaiah said the proposed Malayalam Language Bill undermines the socio-cultural realities of Kerala’s border districts, particularly Kasaragod, where a large section of the population has traditionally relied on Kannada for education and daily life. He said language, especially for linguistic minorities, is not merely an academic subject but a matter of identity, dignity and access to opportunity.
According to a report published by Deccan Herald, the chief minister warned that enforcing a single first-language choice would place an unfair burden on students who are educated in their mother tongue, disrupt their academic confidence and restrict their freedom to choose a second language. He said such a move could also weaken minority-run institutions and minority-medium education systems that have evolved organically over decades.
ALSO READ: Shivakumar challenges BJP to open debate on MGNREGS, VB-G RAM G
Siddaramaiah said elected representatives from the region have consistently pointed out that a significant majority of residents, which is estimated at around 70 percent in parts of Kasaragod, prefer Kannada as the medium of learning. He said this preference should not be viewed as opposition to Malayalam but as an example of India’s plural linguistic culture, where multiple languages coexist without threat or fear.
Citing constitutional safeguards under Articles 29, 30, 350A and 350B, the chief minister said no government has the authority to override the rights of linguistic minorities. While affirming Kerala’s right to promote Malayalam, he said language promotion must not turn into coercion.
Siddaramaiah warned that Karnataka would use all constitutional means to oppose it if it were passed and said the state would stand with Kannadigas and linguistic minorities who believe in equal respect for all languages, while concluding by saying Malayalam, Kannada and every mother tongue must be allowed to flourish freely.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Trump tells Fox News he's no longer sending Witkoff, Kushner to Pakistan for Iran talks
Islamabad (AP): President Donald Trump says he told top US envoys not to travel to Pakistan to negotiate with Iran, telling Fox News that "they can call us anytime they want.”
In a brief phone interview Saturday, Trump told Fox News that he told US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner “you're not going to be making any more 18 hour flights to sit around talking about nothing.”
Trump also said of the US side “we have all the cards.”
His comments came after the White House said Friday that Witkoff and Kushner would be heading to Pakistan for another round of negotiations with Iran.
