Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has issued a firm rebuttal to concerns raised by his Karnataka counterpart, Siddaramaiah, regarding Kerala's proposed Official Language (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Vijayan asserted that the apprehensions do not reflect the facts and clarified that the bill is solely intended to strengthen the use of Malayalam within Kerala and will not adversely affect Kannada speakers or any other linguistic community in the state.
Clarifying the Intent of the Language Bill
In a detailed statement released on Tuesday, the Kerala CM addressed the letter sent by Siddaramaiah, which expressed worries about the potential impact of the bill on Kannada-speaking populations in the border regions of Karnataka, particularly in districts like Dakshina Kannada. Vijayan emphasized that the legislation is an internal matter of Kerala, designed to promote the official language, Malayalam.
The bill mandates the use of Malayalam in all official communications, proceedings, and records of the state government, its offices, and public sector undertakings. However, Vijayan was clear that this does not infringe upon the linguistic rights of other communities. He pointed out that the bill includes provisions allowing the use of other languages when necessary, ensuring no citizen is disadvantaged.
Historical Context and Constitutional Assurance
Vijayan reminded everyone of Kerala's long-standing and consistent practice of protecting the linguistic and cultural rights of all communities residing in the state. He highlighted that the state has always upheld the constitutional spirit of linguistic harmony. The Chief Minister's response sought to reassure Karnataka that the bill is not exclusionary.
"The fears are unfounded," Vijayan stated, directly addressing the core of Siddaramaiah's concerns. He explained that the amendment is procedural, aiming to streamline official language use for administrative efficiency within Kerala's jurisdiction. It does not, he reiterated, impose Malayalam on non-Malayalam speakers in their personal, social, or transactional spaces.
Invitation for Dialogue and Fact-Checking
The Kerala Chief Minister concluded his response by urging Siddaramaiah and the Karnataka government to examine the actual contents of the bill. He expressed confidence that a proper review would allay their misgivings. Vijayan's tone was conciliatory yet firm, inviting constructive dialogue based on facts rather than misconceptions.
This exchange highlights the sensitive nature of language policies in India's diverse federal structure, especially in states with shared borders and interconnected communities. The Kerala Legislative Assembly is scheduled to consider the Official Language (Amendment) Bill in its current session, making this clarification a timely intervention to prevent unnecessary inter-state discord.
The key facts from the exchange are:
- Date of Statement: Tuesday (as per the source report).
- Key Persons: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah.
- Legislation: Kerala Official Language (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
- Core Issue: Karnataka's apprehension about the bill's impact on Kannada speakers in border areas.
- Kerala's Stance: The bill is for internal administrative use of Malayalam and protects other languages.
By addressing the concerns directly, CM Vijayan aims to foster cooperative federalism and ensure that the bill's passage is not marred by misunderstandings between two neighboring states with historically cordial relations.
