Kannada language excluded from railway exam in B’luru, sparks row
The recent decision by the South Western Railway to conduct an exam in Bengaluru, excluding Kannada as a medium, has sparked a major row in the state. The exam, which was conducted with only Hindi and English as the allowed languages, has triggered sharp protests from pro-Kannada groups who claim that the decision reflects a systemic bias designed to favour Hindi-speaking people over local candidates. The issue has gained significant attention, with many questioning the rationale behind excluding the local language from the exam.
The controversy erupted when it was discovered that the South Western Railway had not included Kannada as an option for the exam, despite Bengaluru being the capital city of Karnataka, where Kannada is the official language. This move was seen as a blatant disregard for the local language and culture, with many arguing that it would put local candidates at a disadvantage. The fact that Hindi, a language not native to the region, was included as an option, further fueled the outrage.
Pro-Kannada groups have been vocal in their protests, with many taking to the streets to express their discontent. They argue that the decision is a clear example of the systemic bias that exists in the country, where Hindi is often given preference over local languages. This, they claim, is a deliberate attempt to suppress the local language and culture, and to favour Hindi-speaking candidates.
BJP leader CT Ravi has also weighed in on the issue, calling it a “technical injustice”. He argued that the exclusion of Kannada from the exam is a clear example of the disregard for the local language and culture. Ravi’s comments have added fuel to the fire, with many seeing his statement as a validation of their concerns.
The issue has also raised questions about the role of language in public exams. With India being a multilingual country, it is not uncommon for exams to be conducted in multiple languages. However, the exclusion of the local language from the exam has raised concerns about the fairness of the process. Many argue that local candidates should be given the option to take the exam in their native language, as it would put them on a level playing field with candidates from other parts of the country.
The controversy has also sparked a debate about the importance of promoting local languages. With the increasing dominance of Hindi and English in public life, many argue that local languages are being suppressed. The exclusion of Kannada from the exam has been seen as a symbol of this larger issue, with many arguing that it is essential to promote and protect local languages.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to promote the use of local languages in public life. This has included efforts to increase the use of local languages in education, government, and other public institutions. However, the exclusion of Kannada from the exam has shown that there is still much work to be done.
The South Western Railway has not yet responded to the controversy, but it is clear that the issue will not die down anytime soon. With pro-Kannada groups continuing to protest, and leaders like CT Ravi weighing in on the issue, it is likely that the controversy will continue to simmer.
In conclusion, the exclusion of Kannada from the railway exam in Bengaluru has sparked a major row in the state. The decision has been seen as a systemic bias designed to favour Hindi-speaking people over local candidates, and has triggered sharp protests from pro-Kannada groups. The issue has raised important questions about the role of language in public exams and the importance of promoting local languages. As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the South Western Railway will respond to the concerns of the people.
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