A dispute has arisen between Karnataka and Kerala regarding the Malayalam Language Bill–2025 proposed by Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan government. The ruling Congress and the Opposition BJP in Karnataka have criticized the move. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed discontent to Chief Minister Vijayan, stating that mandating Malayalam as the primary language in Kannada-medium schools in Kerala infringes on linguistic freedom, especially in border districts like Kasaragod.
Former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai voiced concerns in Hubballi, accusing the Karnataka government of following Kerala’s directives. He emphasized the need to safeguard the interests of Kannada children, highlighting the historical dispute over Kasaragod’s ownership and the majority Kannada-speaking population in the region.
Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi emphasized that over 70% of Kasaragod’s population speaks Kannada and urged the Karnataka government to strongly oppose the move. Home Minister G. Parameshwara acknowledged the longstanding language disputes between neighboring states and stressed the importance of addressing such issues within the constitutional framework.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and other officials expressed the need for further information before responding to the issue. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah emphasized the significance of respecting linguistic diversity and citizens’ right to education in their mother tongue in a letter to Chief Minister Vijayan, highlighting the impact of language policies on students’ identity and academic progress.
