SC moved against Karnataka govt over its language policy

The Bengaluru English Schools' Association (BESA) on Monday moved the Supreme Court against the Karnataka government for making Kannada language mandatory in schools.

The contempt of court plea was filed based on the previous Apex Court order that has struck down a Karnataka government order mandating Kannada language as the medium of instruction in all primary schools across the state. .

The association for English medium schools have contended that the State government imposing its 1994 language policy is contempt of the Apex Court order.

Last year, a Constitution Bench headed by former Chief Justice R M Lodha, while dismissing the State government's plea said imposing mother tongue on linguistic minorities as medium of instruction stood against fundamental rights.

"The government cannot impose mother tongue on linguistic minorities for imparting primary education and the decision on the medium of instruction should be left to children’s parents,"said the court.