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 to recruit candidates for various positions, only allowed Hindi and English as the medium of instruction, leaving out the local language of Kannada. This move has triggered sharp protests from pro-Kannada groups, who claim that the decision reflects a systemic bias designed to favor Hindi-speaking people over local candidates.
The exclusion of Kannada from the exam has been seen as a deliberate attempt to undermine the importance of the language in the state. Kannada is the official language of Karnataka, and it is widely spoken in the state. By excluding it from the exam, the railway authorities have been accused of disregarding the linguistic and cultural identity of the people of Karnataka.
BJP leader CT Ravi has called the issue a “technical injustice” and has demanded that the railway authorities take immediate action to rectify the situation. He has argued that the exclusion of Kannada from the exam is a clear example of the bias against the language and the people who speak it. Ravi has also pointed out that the decision is in contravention of the official language policy of the state, which recognizes Kannada as the primary language of Karnataka.
The protests against the exclusion of Kannada from the exam have been widespread, with many people taking to social media to express their outrage and disappointment. The hashtag #JusticeForKannada has been trending on Twitter, with many users demanding that the railway authorities apologize for their mistake and take steps to include Kannada in the exam.
The issue has also sparked a wider debate about the importance of promoting and preserving local languages in India. Many people have argued that the exclusion of Kannada from the exam is a symptom of a larger problem, in which local languages are being marginalized and ignored in favor of Hindi and English. This, they argue, is a threat to the linguistic and cultural diversity of the country, and it is essential that steps are taken to promote and preserve local languages.
The railway authorities have been criticized for their handling of the situation, with many people accusing them of being insensitive and biased against the people of Karnataka. The decision to exclude Kannada from the exam has been seen as a reflection of the broader attitude of the central government towards local languages, which is perceived as being dismissive and condescending.
The controversy over the exclusion of Kannada from the exam has also raised questions about the implementation of language policies in India. The Official Languages Act, 1963, recognizes Hindi as the official language of the union, but it also provides for the use of other languages in official contexts. The act requires that the central government take steps to promote the use of Hindi and other languages, but it also recognizes the importance of preserving and promoting local languages.
In Karnataka, the Karnataka Official Language Act, 1963, recognizes Kannada as the official language of the state. The act requires that all official business be conducted in Kannada, and it provides for the use of Kannada in education, administration, and other areas. The exclusion of Kannada from the exam has been seen as a violation of this act, and it has sparked demands for greater recognition and promotion of the language.
The issue has also sparked a wider debate about the role of language in Indian society. Many people have argued that language is an essential part of a person’s identity and culture, and that it is essential to promote and preserve local languages in order to preserve the cultural diversity of the country. Others have argued that the promotion of Hindi and English is essential for economic development and national integration, but this argument has been rejected by many people in Karnataka, who see it as a threat to their linguistic and cultural identity.
In conclusion, the exclusion of Kannada from the railway exam in Bengaluru has sparked a major row in the city, with many people accusing the railway authorities of bias and insensitivity. The issue has raised important questions about the importance of promoting and preserving local languages, and it has sparked a wider debate about the role of language in Indian society. It is essential that the railway authorities take immediate action to rectify the situation and include Kannada in the exam, in order to promote the linguistic and cultural identity of the people of Karnataka.
About the Author
