Oppose Hindi imposition, says CPK

Delivering the presidential speech at the inauguration of the three-day Kannada meet, the veteran litterateur said it was improper to call only Hindi as the national language. In reality all the languages were national languages.

He added Kannada should be spoken in all the Union government offices in Karnataka. Kuvempu had also propagated that Hindi was dangerous than English. So far, focus had been on Kannada literature. Today, prominence should be given to Kannada. Literature cannot survive without language. Therefore, it was better to call Kannada Sahitya Sammelana as “Kannada Sammelana,” he opined.

The president said Kannada language was in danger. Decline of a language indicated the degradation of a culture. Kannada is the richest language among all Indian languages.
Having a Kannada Development Authority in Karna­­taka was not a matter of pride, but it was most unfortunate.  

On ‘English craze’

Krishnakumar said English is not spoken in most of the countries. It is not an international language. It was a wrong notion to believe that progress can be achieved only through English. In fact, progress can be achieved only through mother-tongue. If only the government adopts a strict policy to offer employment to those who have studied in Kannada medium. Even engineering and medical education should be imparted in Kannada medium, by preparing the textbooks required.

Kannada should be used in computer applications and softwares. Kannada should also be used more effectively in government offices and courts. Like technical education, general education should also get due importance.

“Kannada should be made the medium of instruction in higher education also. English can be learnt as a language and not as a medium of instruction,” he said. Education in the English medium had created neo-untouchability and inferiority complex among Kannada medium students. No more English medium schools should be set up in the State. He sought action against unauthorised English medium schools and added that Kannada schools which lacked students strength should not be closed.

On Belgaum issue

Krishnakumar said: “Belgaum is an integral part of Karnataka. The purpose of Maharasthra Ekikaran Samiti’s conspiracy to occupy Belgaum should fail. The government should take steps to douse the anti-Kannada flames in Belgaum.”

Measures should also be taken to develop the border areas. Non-Kannadigas residing in Karnataka should learn Kannada and live in harmony with us. The government and the people should commit themselves for the protection of land, language and culture,” he added.


CM promises action against illegal English schools

Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda clarified that the government has no intention to close down Kannada medium schools. But, he said that stringent action would be taken against unauthorised English medium schools.

Speaking after inaugurating the 78th Akhila Bharat Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, he said the government has taken measures to promote literary and cultural activities in the State. It has allocated more than Rs 200 crore in the budget for the purpose.

“The government has taken a serious note of the recent anti-Kannada incidents in Belgaum. Action will be taken after receiving answers to the notices served on Belgaum mayor and others,” he said.

Referring to the Maharasthra Ekikaran Samiti’s attitude in Belgaum and former minister from Goa Ramakanth Kalam’s reported statement on Joida taluk, Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Nallur Prasad urged the chief minister to take steps to check the attitude of insulting Kannada. He also urged the chief minister not to close down Kannada medium schools. Earlier, a grand procession of the Sammelana president was taken out in the town.

Police resorted to mild lathi charge to disperse the members of the SFI and other students’ organisations who staged a protest near the venue, opposing the government’s proposal to close Kannada medium schools with poor student strength.