The Karnataka Border Areas Development Authority (KBADA) said Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has assured a comprehensive review of the Malayalam Language Bill, 2025, following objections raised over its impact on Kannada-speaking linguistic minorities in Kasaragod district. 

A KBADA delegation met the Governor on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum urging him to stall and reconsider the Bill, which proposes to make Malayalam the first language from Classes 1 to 10 in all government and private Kannada-medium schools in Kasaragod.

In a press release, KBADA said the proposed legislation is “wholly unconstitutional” and against the interests of thousands of Kannada-speaking residents in Kerala’s northernmost district. The authority highlighted that a similar Bill was rejected by the President in 2017, while the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs has repeatedly directed Kerala to safeguard linguistic minority rights.

The KBADA cited constitutional protections under Articles 30, 347, 350, 350A and 350B, alleging that the Bill violates these provisions. It said constitutional mandates require the appointment of Kannada teachers in Kannada-medium institutions, Kannada signboards at public offices, railway stations and national highways, the use of Kannada in official communication, and recruitment policies reflecting the linguistic profile of the region.

The authority also urged regular bi-monthly meetings of the district collector’s committee to address minority-related concerns.

According to KBADA, enforcing the Bill would compel Kannada-speaking students to study in Malayalam, even if they are unfamiliar with the language, potentially affecting academic performance and future opportunities, especially for those pursuing higher education outside Kerala. It warned of “far-reaching consequences” for students whose mother tongue is Kannada.

The delegation included KBADA Secretary Prakash V Mattihalli, members Subbaiahkatte, Tekkekere Shankaranarayana Bhat, Jayaprakash Narayana Tottetodu, Kerala Kasapa president advocate Muralidhara Ballukarya, Kerala State Teachers’ Association president Sukesh A, and other Kannadiga representatives from Kasaragod.

“The Hon'ble Governor assured the delegation that the bill would be stalled, thoroughly reviewed, and that the interests of Kannadigas in Kasaragod would be safeguarded,” KBADA stated.  

PTI