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 row in the city. The exam, which was held in the city, allowed only Hindi and English as the medium of instruction, leaving out the local language, Kannada. This move has triggered sharp protests from pro-Kannada groups, who have accused the railway authorities of perpetuating a systemic bias in favor of Hindi-speaking candidates over local candidates.
The controversy began when the South Western Railway issued a notification for a recruitment exam, which stated that the exam would be conducted only in Hindi and English. The notification made no mention of Kannada, which is the official language of Karnataka, the state where Bengaluru is located. This move was seen as a deliberate attempt to exclude local candidates who are not fluent in Hindi or English.
Pro-Kannada groups were quick to react to the decision, with many taking to social media to express their outrage. They argued that the exclusion of Kannada from the exam was a clear example of the systemic bias that exists in the country, where Hindi is often imposed as the dominant language, even in states where it is not the primary language spoken.
BJP leader CT Ravi was among those who condemned the decision, calling it a “technical injustice”. He argued that the railway authorities had failed to consider the interests of local candidates, who may not be fluent in Hindi or English. Ravi also pointed out that the decision was in contravention of the Official Languages Act, which mandates that all government exams be conducted in the official language of the state, in addition to Hindi and English.
The controversy has also sparked a wider debate about the role of language in recruitment exams. Many argue that the use of Hindi and English as the sole medium of instruction in recruitment exams is a form of linguistic imperialism, which discriminates against candidates who are not fluent in these languages. They point out that this approach ignores the fact that many Indians are not fluent in Hindi or English, and that the use of local languages in recruitment exams would be a more inclusive approach.
The exclusion of Kannada from the railway exam is not an isolated incident. There have been several instances in the past where the language has been excluded from official documents and exams, despite being the official language of Karnataka. This has led to accusations that the central government is trying to impose Hindi as the dominant language, even in states where it is not widely spoken.
The issue has also sparked a wider debate about the status of Kannada in the state. Many argue that the language is being gradually marginalized, with Hindi and English being promoted as the dominant languages. This, they argue, is a threat to the cultural identity of the state, and could have long-term consequences for the language and its speakers.
In response to the controversy, the railway authorities have argued that the decision to exclude Kannada from the exam was taken due to “technical reasons”. They claimed that the exam was being conducted online, and that the software used for the exam did not support Kannada. However, this explanation has been rejected by pro-Kannada groups, who argue that this is a flimsy excuse, and that the railway authorities should have made arrangements to include Kannada as a medium of instruction.
The controversy has also sparked calls for greater autonomy for Karnataka, with many arguing that the state should have more control over its own affairs, including the language used in official documents and exams. They argue that the central government should not impose its will on the state, and that the state should be free to promote its own language and culture.
In conclusion, the exclusion of Kannada from the railway exam in Bengaluru has sparked a major row, with many accusing the railway authorities of perpetuating a systemic bias in favor of Hindi-speaking candidates. The controversy has highlighted the need for greater inclusivity in recruitment exams, and the importance of promoting local languages. It has also sparked a wider debate about the status of Kannada in the state, and the need for greater autonomy for Karnataka.
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