KDA Chairman Flags Critical Gaps in India's Language Policy Framework
Mangaluru witnessed a significant discourse on linguistic diversity as Purushothama Bilimale, chairman of the Kannada Development Authority (KDA), raised alarming concerns about India's language policy framework. Speaking at the two-day national seminar titled Beyond Words: The Rich Tapestry of Languages and South Indian Identities, Bilimale emphasized the urgent need for updated linguistic data and addressed growing regional imbalances.
Outdated Statistics Hampering Policy Formulation
Bilimale pointed out that discussions on languages in India continue to rely on obsolete statistics, with the country lagging by nearly two decades. "In a rapidly evolving world, today's data becomes obsolete tomorrow, making it difficult to formulate effective language policies," he stated. The seminar, held at Alva's College (autonomous) in Moodubidiri, served as a platform to highlight these systemic issues.
Constitutional Imbalance in Language Recognition
Referring to the 2011 Census, Bilimale revealed that India recognizes 19,569 mother tongues, yet only 22 languages are included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Of these, 18 are from North India, while merely four are Dravidian languages from the South, showcasing a stark linguistic imbalance. This disparity, he argued, undermines the representation of southern linguistic groups in national policy-making.
Disparities in Language Governance and Representation
The KDA chairman also criticized the governance structure of languages in India. He noted that Hindi falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs, while other languages are managed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. Additionally, committees formed under Article 344(4) of the Constitution for Hindi development lack adequate representation from other linguistic communities, further marginalizing non-Hindi speakers.
Demographic Shifts Threatening Regional Representation
Drawing attention to demographic trends, Bilimale cited studies by the Centre for Policy Research and other institutions. He highlighted that differences in fertility rates between northern and southern states could drastically reshape parliamentary representation after the proposed delimitation in 2028. Karnataka's fertility rate stands at 1.6, compared to 2.9 in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Based on projected population growth:
- Uttar Pradesh could see its Lok Sabha seats increase from 80 to 128
- Bihar might rise from 40 to 70 seats
In contrast, southern states are likely to experience only marginal changes:
- Karnataka: 28 to 36 seats
- Tamil Nadu: 39 to 42 seats
- Telangana: 17 to 20 seats
- Andhra Pradesh: 25 to 28 seats
- Kerala may decline from 20 to 19 seats
"This could result in northern states commanding nearly 625 Lok Sabha seats, compared to around 185 for southern states," Bilimale warned. Such a scenario raises serious questions about the balance of linguistic and regional representation in India's democracy.
Decline in Language Proficiency and Call for Unity
Bilimale also expressed concern over declining language proficiency, noting that over 1.6 lakh students failed in Kannada during Karnataka's 2025 SSLC examinations. This trend underscores the need for robust language education policies.
Echoing the sentiment of inclusivity, DV Paramashivamurthy, Vice-Chancellor of Kannada University in Hampi, emphasized that language should unite and integrate people inclusively. The seminar was presided over by M Mohan Alva, Chairman of Alva's Education Foundation, reinforcing the collective call for a more equitable linguistic framework in India.
