Bengaluru: The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Karave) issued a formal request to the state government on Thursday, advocating for new regulations that would require all commercial drivers to demonstrate proficiency in the Kannada language.

T.A. Narayana Gowda, the state president of the organisation, presented a memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking the rigorous application of linguistic standards within the transportation industry. The proposal mirrors a controversial recent policy enacted by the neighbouring Maharashtra government.

The Maharashtra Precedent

The demand follows an announcement from Maharashtra officials that all licensed taxi and auto-rickshaw operators must possess a working knowledge of Marathi, effective May 1. Under those guidelines, drivers are required to read, write, and speak the regional language to qualify for the renewal of their driving licenses.

The rule has sparked significant national debate regarding the livelihoods of drivers who moved to the state from other regions and may not be fluent in the local tongue.

Protecting Regional Identity

Endorsing the neighbouring state's approach, Narayana Gowda argued that individuals seeking employment or commercial opportunities within Karnataka should be obligated to learn Kannada. The organisation contended that while other Indian states prioritise their regional languages in daily communication, Karnataka has seen an increasing prevalence of non-local languages.

Narayana Gowda has urged the government to withhold driving licenses from applicants who cannot converse in Kannada, characterising the measure as vital to safeguarding the state’s cultural heritage and linguistic pride.

"The organisation stated that while communication in other states is carried out in their respective regional languages, Karnataka is witnessing increasing dominance of non-local languages," the group noted in its appeal.

Public Grievances and Political Pressure

The Vedike further asserted that the employment of drivers unfamiliar with the local language has resulted in significant communication barriers and numerous complaints from the public. The group maintains that the responsibility for rectifying these service gaps rests solely with the state administration.

In addition to the petition to the Chief Minister, Narayana Gowda utilised social media to amplify the demand and called upon the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to lobby the government for a swift resolution.

With inputs from IANS