Kannada poet K S Nisar Ahmed has held the State government responsible for the non-inclusion of Kannada in the list of classical languages.

Speaking at the Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations organised by Rotary Bangalore Orchards on Tuesday, Prof Ahmed said that though Kannada and Tamil languages originated during the same time, Kannada is yet to gain the status of a classical language (which Tamil has already gained) due to the lack of political will by the State government.

He urged the people of the State to respect Kannada language and converse in it often.

Rotary Bangalore Orchards felicitated the poet for his contribution towards Kannada language. Its members put up cultural programmes.