English-Versus-Kannada: Activists Flay CM For ‘Anglicising’ State-Run Schools; Want Primacy For Local Language 

Despite being a regional party that puts forth Kannada over any other language in the state, JD(S) is now being targeted for making English the medium of instruction in government schools.

The decision had been implemented by Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy a few months ago. This has upset a lot of eminent Kannada writers and intellectuals, who have severely criticised the move. The angst was expressed at the state-sponsored literary meet titled ‘Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana’ in Dharwad.

A few days ago, former CM Siddaramaiah gave Kannada activists a shot in the arm when he pulled up the government over its decision to make English the medium of instruction. CM Kumaraswamy had announced the decision while presenting the state budget for 2017.

Jananapith award-winner Chandrashekar Kambar compared the decision to that of Thomas Babington Macaulay, who made English the administrative language in the British Raj, Live Mint reported.

He said it was the duty of the elected government to ensure that languages, traditions and cultures of the state were protected. The CM, however, believes that introducing English as a language will increase students’ chances of employment. Under the Right to Education Act, 2009, Government of Karnataka funds one lakh students in private schools as well.