Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has firmly criticised Kerala’s proposed Malayalam Language Bill-2025, stating that it threatens freedom and could hurt students in Kerala’s border districts, especially in Kasargod, where Kannada-medium education has been in place for generations. In a social media post on X, he wrote, “ India’s unity rests on respecting every language and every citizens right to learn in their mother tongue.”
According to the Indian Express, the Bill mandates Malayalam as the first language from Classes 1 to 10 in Kasargod, which has a substantial Kannada-speaking population. Siddaramaiah described the proposed law an “attack on the freedom of language guaranteed by the Constitution” and urged Kerala to withdraw it.
‘For children of linguistic minorities..it is identity, dignity, access’
Siddaramaiah argued that language is not merely an academic subject for minority communities. In his post, he further mentions, “For children of linguistic minorities, language is not a “subject alone, it is identity, access, dignity and opportunity”. He stated making a single first language choice mandatory would burden students who study in their mother tongue, impact learning and weaken minority -run institutions and minority medium education systems.
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He also pointed out particularly to Kasargod’s border belt, mentioning that generations have studied in Kanada-medium schools and depend on Kannada in daily life. He added that figures have been cited around 70% in parts of the district giving preference to Kannada learning and the Kannada spirit ecosystem. He stressed, “This is not a threat to Malyalam…where languages co-exist without fear.”
India’s unity rests on respecting every language and every citizen’s right to learn in their mother tongue.
The proposed Malayalam Language Bill–2025, by mandating compulsory Malayalam as the first language even in Kannada-medium schools, strikes at the heart of linguistic… pic.twitter.com/hddamABKDR
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) January 8, 2026
Karnataka steps up pressure
Siddaramaiah highlighted the Constitution protects linguistic minorities and listed provisions he thinks apply here-Articles 29 &30 (rights to conserve language and run educational institutions), Article 350A (facilities for mother-tongue instructions at the primary age), and Article 350 B (oversight for minority safeguards). He stated, “Coercion in language policy goes against both the letter and spirit of these protections.”
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The Indian Express reported that the Karnataka Border Areas Development Authority (KBADA) petitioned Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, appealing for reconsideration of the Bill. KBADA also claimed a similar Bill was rejected by the President in 2017 and stated that Union Affairs Ministry had advised Kerala to safeguard linguistic minorities. Siddaramaiah, meanwhile, mentioned, “Kerala has every right to promote Malayalam with pride…But promotion cannot become an imposition.” |
