The Supreme Court’s verdict that the State can’t impose medium of instruction has had an impact on regional languages.
The only alternative before the State government is to exert pressure on the Centre and bring in an amendment to the Constitution, said writer and Kannada and Culture department retired commissioner Manu Baligar.
Speaking after inaugurating Somwarpet taluk Kannada literary meet here on Sunday, he said that elected representatives and officials should bring in an amendment to the Constitution to protect regional languages.
“We need to empower Kannada language. The Kannada software needs to be further developed. The State government should implement the recommendations of the committee headed by Chidananda Gowda. Kannadigas are not only those who speak Kannada as their mother tongue but also those who have respect for Kannada land, water and language,” he said.
In his presidential address, Bacharaniyanda P Appanna said the State government should initiate measures to provide 50 per cent reservation in government jobs for all those who have studied in Kannada medium up to 10th standard.
“Today, we have Kannada medium schools in villages with all basic facilities. However, the schools have failed to attract students. People are obsessed with English language. This fascination has reached such limits that Kannada medium schools are closing down. Kannada Sahitya Parishat should conduct various competitions to promote Kannada. Kannada books library should be opened in all gram panchayat offices,” he added.
He remembered the contributions of John Michael, William Reev, Herman Mogling, and Rev Kittel to the development of Kannada language.
Kannada schools were opened in Kodagu in 1837. The rich people in Kodagu were fascinated towards English. However, it was teachers and experts from Mangaluru and Mysuru who contributed to the growth of Kannada in Kodagu, he added.
DH News Service
