Everyone in Karnataka must learn Kannada: CM

bengaluru — Karnataka celebrated its 62nd formation day with festivity on Wednesday, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urging everyone in the state to learn Kannada language.

“Everyone living in the state must learn Kannada and must make their children learn the language. Kannada must be taught in all schools,” he told a gathering of thousands at the Kanteerava Stadium here, marking the 62nd Karnataka formation day.

Not learning Kannada was ‘disrespectful’ to the language, he said.

“We urge the central government to formulate a national education policy to provide primary education in the mother tongue. The state has already written to the central government about this,” Siddaramaiah stated.

“Being born a Kannadiga is my first identity. Being a Kannadiga is what makes me an Indian.”

The state has no “opposition” to Hindi or English but “we do not agree with the imposition of other languages over Kannada”, Siddaramaiah asserted.

“The state government has responded to Hindi imposition at the metro stations by implementing a two-language policy of Kannada and English,” he added.

Being born a Kannadiga is my first identity. Being a Kannadiga is what makes me an Indian Siddaramaiah, Karnataka CM