- By Chetna Shree
- Sat, 01 Nov 2025 07:18 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Language Row: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, speaking in Bengaluru on the occasion of the 70th Karnataka Rajyotsava, targeted the BJP-led government at the Centre, accusing it of neglecting Kannada while extending grants for the promotion of Hindi and Sanskrit languages.
Addressing the Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations, Siddaramaiah stated, “Injustice is being done to the classical language Kannada by denying adequate funds for its growth.”
He further pointed out that although Kannada is recognised as a classical language, it has not received the same financial backing or institutional support as other languages actively promoted by the Centre.
“There are continuous attempts to impose Hindi. Grants are given for the development of Hindi and Sanskrit, while other languages of the country are being neglected,” he said.
The chief minister urged the people of the state to stand firm against attempts to undermine the state’s language, culture, or identity. “We must oppose all forces that are anti-Kannada,” he said, alleging that the state contributes Rs 4.5 lakh crore in revenue to the Centre but receives only a small fraction in return, far below its fair share.
Siddaramaiah reignited the language row, accusing the BJP-led government at the Centre of “neglecting Karnataka and imposing Hindi.” Calling for a law to make the mother language the medium of instruction, the Karnataka Chief Minister warned that English and Hindi are “weakening the talent of the children.”
“Children of the developed nations think, learn and dream in their mother tongue, but here the situation is against it. English and Hindi are weakening the talent of our children,” he added.
(With Agency Inputs)