Kannada language excluded from railway exam in B’luru, sparks row
The city of Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, has been at the center of a linguistic controversy in recent days. The South Western Railway, which operates in the region, conducted an exam for various positions, but with a notable exception – the Kannada language was excluded as a medium for the exam. Instead, only Hindi and English were allowed as options for candidates to take the test. This move has sparked sharp protests from pro-Kannada groups, who argue that the decision is a blatant example of systemic bias designed to favor Hindi-speaking candidates over local ones.
The controversy erupted when it came to light that the South Western Railway had not provided the option for candidates to take the exam in Kannada, despite it being the official language of the state. This has led to widespread outrage among Kannada-speaking people, who feel that their language and culture are being ignored and disrespected. Pro-Kannada groups have taken to the streets, demanding that the railway authorities reconsider their decision and include Kannada as a medium for the exam.
The issue has also drawn the attention of political leaders, with BJP leader CT Ravi weighing in on the matter. Ravi called the exclusion of Kannada from the exam a “technical injustice” and demanded that the railway authorities take immediate action to rectify the situation. He argued that the decision was not only unfair to Kannada-speaking candidates but also reflected a broader bias against the language and culture of Karnataka.
The controversy has also raised questions about the status of Kannada in the state. Despite being the official language of Karnataka, Kannada is often overlooked in favor of Hindi and English in official contexts. This has led to concerns that the language and culture of the state are being eroded, and that the rights of Kannada-speaking people are being ignored.
The exclusion of Kannada from the railway exam is not an isolated incident. In recent years, there have been several instances of Kannada being overlooked or marginalized in official contexts. For example, many government websites and documents are not available in Kannada, despite it being the official language of the state. This has made it difficult for Kannada-speaking people to access government services and information, and has contributed to a sense of alienation and disenfranchisement.
The controversy over the railway exam has also highlighted the need for greater recognition and respect for the Kannada language and culture. Pro-Kannada groups are demanding that the state government take steps to promote the use of Kannada in official contexts, and to ensure that the language is given its due recognition and respect.
In the meantime, the South Western Railway has come under fire for its decision to exclude Kannada from the exam. The railway authorities have been accused of being insensitive to the linguistic and cultural sensibilities of the people of Karnataka, and of prioritizing the interests of Hindi-speaking candidates over those of local ones.
As the controversy continues to simmer, it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved. Will the railway authorities reconsider their decision and include Kannada as a medium for the exam? Or will the exclusion of Kannada be allowed to stand, further marginalizing the language and culture of Karnataka? One thing is certain, however – the people of Karnataka will not take this lying down, and will continue to fight for the recognition and respect that their language and culture deserve.
In conclusion, the exclusion of Kannada from the railway exam in Bengaluru is a shocking example of systemic bias and linguistic discrimination. The decision reflects a broader disregard for the language and culture of Karnataka, and has sparked widespread outrage among Kannada-speaking people. As the controversy continues to unfold, it is essential that the railway authorities and the state government take steps to address the concerns of the people and promote the use of Kannada in official contexts.
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