Kannada language excluded from railway exam in B’luru, sparks row
The recent decision by the South Western Railway to exclude Kannada as a medium from an exam conducted in Bengaluru has sparked a major controversy in the state. The exam, which was conducted by the railway authorities, only allowed candidates to take the test in Hindi and English, leaving out the local language of Karnataka. This move has triggered sharp protests from pro-Kannada groups, who have accused the railway authorities of perpetuating a systemic bias against the local population.
The issue has taken a political turn, with BJP leader CT Ravi weighing in on the matter. Ravi has called the exclusion of Kannada from the railway exam a “technical injustice” and has demanded that the railway authorities take immediate action to rectify the situation. The BJP leader’s comments have added fuel to the fire, with many Kannada activists and supporters taking to social media to express their outrage and disappointment.
At the heart of the issue is the question of why the railway authorities chose to exclude Kannada from the exam. Bengaluru, the capital city of Karnataka, is a predominantly Kannada-speaking city, and it is surprising that the local language was not included as an option for the exam. The decision to only allow Hindi and English as mediums for the exam has been seen as a deliberate attempt to favor candidates from outside the state, who are more likely to be proficient in these languages.
Pro-Kannada groups have argued that the exclusion of Kannada from the exam is a reflection of a larger systemic bias against the local population. They claim that the railway authorities are trying to impose Hindi and English on the local population, and that this is an attempt to erode the cultural and linguistic identity of Karnataka. The groups have demanded that the railway authorities take immediate action to include Kannada as a medium for the exam, and have threatened to launch widespread protests if their demands are not met.
The issue has also raised questions about the role of language in education and employment. In a country like India, where there are numerous languages and dialects, it is important to ensure that language is not a barrier to education and employment opportunities. By excluding Kannada from the exam, the railway authorities have effectively disenfranchised many local candidates who may not be proficient in Hindi or English.
The controversy has also highlighted the importance of promoting local languages and cultures. In an era of globalization, where English has become the dominant language of commerce and communication, it is easy to forget the importance of local languages and cultures. However, languages like Kannada are an integral part of the cultural and linguistic heritage of Karnataka, and it is essential to promote and preserve them.
In response to the protests, the railway authorities have claimed that the decision to exclude Kannada from the exam was taken due to “technical reasons”. However, this explanation has not satisfied the pro-Kannada groups, who have demanded a more detailed explanation for the decision. The issue is likely to continue to simmer, with many Kannada activists and supporters vowing to take their protests to the streets if their demands are not met.
In conclusion, the exclusion of Kannada from the railway exam in Bengaluru has sparked a major controversy in the state. The decision has been seen as a reflection of a systemic bias against the local population, and has triggered sharp protests from pro-Kannada groups. The issue has raised important questions about the role of language in education and employment, and has highlighted the importance of promoting local languages and cultures. As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the railway authorities will respond to the protests and demands of the pro-Kannada groups.
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