The Congress-led Karnataka government is against the Malayalam Language Bill-2025 passed by Kerala, aiming to protect Kannada-speaking children in border areas. Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi highlighted concerns about the impact on Kannada-speaking individuals in districts like Kasaragod, where many Kannada-medium schools operate. Tangadagi emphasized the need for a comprehensive report under Article 350B of the Constitution to address the situation.
The Karnataka government plans to approach the Kerala Governor to prevent the Bill’s implementation, citing potential hardships for Kannada-speaking residents along the border. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has expressed discontent, emphasizing the importance of linguistic freedom in border regions like Kasaragod. The move has drawn criticism from both the ruling Congress and the Opposition BJP in Karnataka.
The Karnataka Border Area Development Authority has already raised the issue with the Kerala Chief Minister, seeking to safeguard the interests of Kannada-speaking communities. The proposed Bill has sparked tensions between Karnataka and Kerala, with concerns over its impact on Kannada-speaking populations in Kasaragod. Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai urged the government to protect the rights of Kannada children amid the escalating dispute.
