Education in Kannada echoes in literary meet

Amendment to Constitution is the only way out: Marulasiddappa

The 13th Zilla Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held here on Saturday witnessed the renewal in demand for bringing an amendment to the Constitution to impart primary education in state or the regional language.

For this, both the state government and MPs elected from the state should exert pressure on the Union government as a Supreme Court ruling has become an impediment in making education compulsory in mother tongue.

Addressing the gathering, Sammelana president K Marulasiddappa said Kannada language is facing a serious threat with the growing influence of English. “Kannada as a language is losing is significance at the nascent level of education system as the court verdict has added fuel to the situation. The only way to find out a solution is to bring in an amendment to Constitution,” Marulasiddappa suggested.

Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Dr Manu Baligar said, “The impact of globalisation and English is not just restricted to Kannada. All regional languages are facing the same threat. The growing love towards English has been proving cataclysmic to Kannada.”

Taking note of the demand for drawing attention of the Centre in this regard, Baligar said a meeting of all elected representatives from the state will be convened in New Delhi in another one or two months. Besides, the Parishat has already submitted memoranda to the presidents of three prominent political parties in the state to exert pressure on the Centre, Baligar added.

Mudigere MLA B B Ningaiah said the situation in the district is similar. More than 400 Kannada medium schools have already been closed. It has remained as a language of children belonging to proletariat community.

Ningaiah suggested that the education ministers and MPS from other states should draw the attention of prime minister’s office. Jungle Lodges and Resorts chairman A N Mahesh said even parents have a role to play, as they should come out of the influence of English. Home and District In-charge Minister G Parameshwara was conspicuous by his absence at the meet.

In all, seven works of different writers were released as a part of the meet. Dr Arathi Krishna released the souvenir ‘Nenapina Samputa’. Zilla Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Ashok Kundu, reception committee working president Gayatri Shantegowda and others were present.