Kannada language excluded from railway exam in B’luru, sparks row
The city of Bengaluru, known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse linguistic landscape, has been at the center of a controversy that has sparked sharp protests from pro-Kannada groups. The South Western Railway, in a move that has been widely criticized, excluded Kannada as a medium from an exam conducted in the city, allowing only Hindi and English as the languages of choice. This decision has triggered a heated debate, with many arguing that it reflects a systemic bias designed to favor Hindi-speaking candidates over local ones.
The exam in question was conducted by the South Western Railway in Bengaluru, and the fact that Kannada, the official language of Karnataka, was not included as a medium has raised eyebrows. The move has been seen as a blatant disregard for the linguistic diversity of the region and a attempt to impose Hindi as the dominant language. Pro-Kannada groups have taken to the streets, protesting against the decision and demanding that Kannada be included as a medium in all exams conducted in the state.
The issue has also drawn the attention of politicians, with BJP leader CT Ravi weighing in on the matter. Ravi called the exclusion of Kannada a “technical injustice” and argued that it was unfair to deny candidates the opportunity to take the exam in their native language. The fact that Hindi and English were allowed as mediums, while Kannada was not, has been seen as a clear example of the bias that exists in the system.
The controversy has sparked a wider debate about the role of language in public exams and the need to promote linguistic diversity. Many have argued that exams should be conducted in the local language, as it would allow candidates to perform to the best of their ability and ensure that they are not at a disadvantage due to language barriers. The exclusion of Kannada from the railway exam has been seen as a step backwards, and many are demanding that the decision be reversed.
The issue has also raised questions about the identity of Bengaluru and its place within the state of Karnataka. As the capital city of the state, Bengaluru is a hub of cultural and linguistic diversity, and the exclusion of Kannada from the exam has been seen as a attempt to erase the city’s unique identity. Many have asked if Bengaluru is no longer a part of Karnataka, given the fact that the local language is not being given the recognition it deserves.
The protests against the exclusion of Kannada have been intense, with many taking to social media to express their outrage. The hashtag #JusticeForKannada has been trending, with many calling for the decision to be reversed and for Kannada to be included as a medium in all exams conducted in the state. The issue has also been taken up by local media, with many newspapers and news channels highlighting the controversy and demanding that the authorities take action.
The South Western Railway has been criticized for its decision, with many arguing that it was a thoughtless and insensitive move. The fact that the exam was conducted in Hindi and English, but not in Kannada, has been seen as a clear example of the bias that exists in the system. Many have demanded that the railway authorities apologize for the mistake and take steps to ensure that Kannada is included as a medium in all future exams.
In conclusion, the exclusion of Kannada from the railway exam in Bengaluru has sparked a row that has highlighted the need to promote linguistic diversity and recognize the importance of local languages. The move has been seen as a systemic bias designed to favor Hindi-speaking candidates over local ones, and has triggered sharp protests from pro-Kannada groups. The issue has also raised questions about the identity of Bengaluru and its place within the state of Karnataka, and has sparked a wider debate about the role of language in public exams.
As the controversy continues to simmer, it remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to the protests and demands of the pro-Kannada groups. One thing is certain, however – the exclusion of Kannada from the exam has been a wake-up call, highlighting the need to recognize and promote the linguistic diversity of the region. It is only by doing so that we can ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed, regardless of their language background.
About the Author
