The Karnataka government is escalating a linguistic rights dispute with neighboring Kerala, announcing plans to send a high-level delegation to President Droupadi Murmu. The move seeks her intervention to protect the interests of Kannada-speaking residents in Kerala's border district of Kasaragod, against the proposed Malayalam Bhasha Bill, 2025.
Chief Minister's Strong Objection to Kerala
On Friday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah formally wrote to his Kerala counterpart, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, registering a strong objection to the bill. In his letter, Siddaramaiah argued that for linguistic minority communities, language is far more than an academic subject; it is an "identity and access to opportunity."
He warned that any policy enforcing a single linguistic pathway could place an undue burden on children, weaken minority-run educational institutions, and disrupt long-standing educational ecosystems. "Respecting this reality does not diminish Malayalam; rather, it strengthens India's plural fabric," Siddaramaiah wrote, specifically highlighting the situation in Kasaragod where a clear majority relies on Kannada-medium education.
Ministerial Actions and Constitutional Appeal
Earlier on Friday, Karnataka's Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi revealed that a state delegation had already met Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, urging him to withhold assent to the bill passed by the Kerala Assembly in October. Tangadagi demanded the bill's complete withdrawal, alleging it violates children's rights and linguistic freedom.
The minister cited Article 350(B) of the Constitution, which provides for the protection of linguistic minorities. He called for the Central government's intervention and the appointment of a special linguistic minority officer for Kerala-Kasaragod to ensure local views are considered. "We will meet the President of India and apprise her of the development," Tangadagi stated.
Ground Reality in Kasaragod
Highlighting the demographic and institutional footprint, Minister Tangadagi said approximately 7.5 lakh (750,000) Kannadigas live in Kasaragod district, with about 210 Kannada-medium schools operating in the border region. This significant presence forms the basis of Karnataka's concern.
Echoing the sentiment, Dakshina Kannada district in-charge and Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said from Mangaluru that the bill is against the interests of the Kannada-speaking linguistic minority in Kerala, especially in Kasaragod. The Karnataka Border Development Authority has also been actively involved in the representations made to the Kerala Governor.
The stage is now set for a significant inter-state dialogue, with Karnataka preparing to take its case to the highest office in the country, emphasizing the protection of linguistic diversity as a cornerstone of India's federal structure.
