Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has launched a sharp critique against the neighbouring Kerala government over its proposed Malayalam Language Bill 2025, labelling the legislation an unconstitutional assault on the freedom of language. The Bill, which mandates Malayalam as the first language from Classes 1 to 10 in all schools, has sparked a fresh border dispute, centring on the future of Kannada-medium education in Kerala's Kasaragod district.
Constitutional Rights Under Threat, Says Karnataka CM
In a strongly worded post on social media platform X, Siddaramaiah expressed his regret over the Kerala government's move. He argued that the Bill directly attacks the linguistic freedom guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. "If such a law is implemented, the Kannadigas living in the border districts of Kerala, mainly in Kasaragod, will be deprived of the opportunity to learn their mother tongue," he stated. The Chief Minister added that he did not expect such a move from Kerala's communist government to suppress the fundamental rights of linguistic minorities.
Siddaramaiah emphasized the deep cultural ties between Kasaragod and Karnataka, stating that while the district is administratively part of Kerala, it "emotionally belongs to Karnataka." He highlighted that the lives of people in Kasaragod are intertwined with Kannada language, culture, and literature, asserting that they are no less Kannadigas than the residents of Karnataka itself. "It is the duty of our government to protect their interests," he affirmed.
Kasaragod's Linguistic Landscape and Historical Context
The controversy stems from the significant Kannada-speaking population in Kasaragod, a northern border district of Kerala. For generations, residents have studied in Kannada-medium schools and used the language in their daily lives. Siddaramaiah claimed that the Kannada speakers of Kasaragod are unanimous in their view that 70 per cent of students in the district want to learn Kannada and study in the Kannada medium.
This political confrontation did not emerge in isolation. The Karnataka Border Areas Development Authority (KBADA) petitioned Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Wednesday, urging him to reconsider the legislation. The KBADA contended that the Bill is wholly unconstitutional and against the interests of the linguistic minorities in Kasaragod. The organisation also pointed out that a similar Bill was rejected by the President in 2017 and that the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs had repeatedly advised Kerala to protect the interests of such minorities.
A Dangerous Precedent and Escalating Tensions
Siddaramaiah warned against any attempt to undermine the pluralistic atmosphere of the region. "No language is against another language… Any attempt to undermine this pluralistic atmosphere is dangerous," he said. While acknowledging Kerala's freedom to preserve Malayalam, he insisted there should be no attempt to impose one language on another. The Karnataka CM issued a clear warning, stating that if the Kerala Government decides to implement the Bill, Kannadigas will oppose it with one voice.
This incident marks the second major face-off between the two chief ministers in recent days. Last week, Siddaramaiah and his Kerala counterpart, Pinarayi Vijayan, sparred over an anti-encroachment drive at Kogilu in Bengaluru. The recurring disputes highlight the simmering tensions along the state border, where administrative boundaries often clash with cultural and linguistic identities.
The proposed Bill now sits at the heart of a complex debate involving constitutional rights, cultural preservation, and federal dynamics. As authorities from both states stake their claims, the residents of Kasaragod await a resolution that respects their linguistic heritage and educational choices.
