‘Kerala can promote Malayalam, not impose it, we will oppose this law’: Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday issued a strong warning to Kerala over its proposed Malayalam Language Bill, declaring that the state will “do everything” in its power to oppose any law that makes Malayalam the compulsory first language, even in Kannada-medium schools.

In a hard-hitting statement, Siddaramaiah said the Bill “strikes at the heart of linguistic freedom and lived reality” of Kerala’s border districts, particularly Kasaragod, where Kannada has long been the language of education and daily life for a majority of residents.

“For children of linguistic minorities, language is not just a subject. It is identity, dignity, access, and opportunity,” the Chief Minister said, adding that forcing a single ‘first language’ choice would burden students, disrupt academic confidence, and weaken minority-run institutions and mother-tongue education ecosystems.

Pointing to ground realities, Siddaramaiah noted that generations of students in Kasaragod have studied in Kannada-medium schools and continue to rely on Kannada in everyday life.

“Local representatives have consistently highlighted that nearly 70% of people in parts of the district prefer Kannada learning and the Kannada script ecosystem,” he said. “This is not a threat to Malayalam—it is proof of India’s plural culture, where languages coexist without fear.”

Invoking Articles 29, 30, 350A, and 350B of the Constitution, the CM asserted that no government has the authority to “trample” on the rights of linguistic minorities. While stressing that Kerala has every right to promote Malayalam with pride—just as Karnataka does with Kannada—he drew a clear line. “Promotion cannot become imposition,” Siddaramaiah said.

Urging the Kerala government to withdraw the bill, he warned that if it is passed, Karnataka will mount a constitutional fight. “We will stand with every Kannadiga, with the people of Kasaragod, with linguistic minorities, and with everyone who believes India belongs equally to every language and every voice,” he said.

Concluding his statement, Siddaramaiah underscored that Malayalam, Kannada and “every mother tongue” must flourish together. “That is the India our Constitution promised—and the India we must defend,” he said.

What is the Malayalam Language Bill?

The Malayalam Language Bill is a proposed law by the Kerala government aimed at strengthening Malayalam as the primary language of education and administration in the state.

As per the proposal, Malayalam would be mandated as the first language for students across schools in Kerala, including those studying in non-Malayalam or minority-language mediums.

The Bill’s stated objective is to preserve and promote Malayalam amid concerns over declining usage among younger generations. However, it has sparked controversy—especially in border districts like Kasaragod—where large linguistic minorities traditionally study in Kannada-medium schools.

Critics argue the move could restrict mother-tongue education choices, burden minority students, and clash with constitutional safeguards for linguistic minorities.