Bengaluru, Karnataka: Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra has strongly criticised the Kerala government, alleging that it is trying to impose Malayalam language instruction in all Kannada schools within Kerala. This move, he said, threatens the linguistic rights and cultural identity of Kannada-speaking communities residing in Kerala.
Speaking on the issue, Vijayendra accused former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress-led government of acting under the influence of senior Congress leader KC Venugopal. “Siddaramaiah follows KC Venugopal’s instructions and directions when it comes to Karnataka,” Vijayendra stated, implying that the Congress leadership is not protecting Kannada interests.
Vijayendra demanded that KC Venugopal step in immediately to safeguard Kannada schools in Kerala and prevent the forced imposition of Malayalam. He stressed the importance of preserving the Kannada language in border areas where Kannada-speaking populations have the constitutional right to education in their mother tongue.
The controversy comes amid ongoing tensions between Kerala and Karnataka over language rights in border districts. Kannada-speaking communities have raised concerns over policies that they perceive as attempts to diminish their cultural heritage by prioritising Malayalam over Kannada.
The BJP leader’s remarks have added a new dimension to the debate, with calls for urgent political intervention to resolve the dispute. As of now, neither the Kerala government nor Congress leaders, including KC Venugopal, have responded to these allegations.
The language issue continues to evoke strong emotions on both sides, highlighting the delicate balance needed to respect linguistic diversity and regional sentiments.
