Kimmane Ratnakar, Minister of State For Primary and Secondary Education, is trying to enlist the support of writers and legal experts for the government’s stand that Kannada should be the mandatory medium of instruction at the primary school level.

Ratnakar has invited not less than 30 writers, former education ministers and legal experts for a meeting to decide the plan of action the State should follow, in the light of the Supreme Court ruling that the government cannot impose Kannada as the medium of instruction.

The meeting is scheduled to be held in the Vidhana Soudha around 3 pm on Wednesday. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been requested to chair the meeting, said Ratnakar’s office.

The minister had convened a similar meeting on January 16 this year to discuss issues related to the medium of instruction.

Reacting to the apex court judgement, Siddaramaiah said he can react only after going through the judgement.

Ratnakar said, “It is a tragedy that the court has given such a judgement. There is no need to interpret the order as a loss of face to the State. There are many options before the government. We will hold discussions with writers, pro-Kannada activists, the advocate general, among others. If this order is implemented, the language (Kannada) will perish. The government will not allow such a thing to happen.”

Former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda said the court’s order has come as a shock to Kannadigas.

“This sounds a death knell to the language. The chief minister should consult subject experts and find a solution immediately,” he said.