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 controversy in the state. The exam, which was held in the city, allowed only Hindi and English as the mediums 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 against the local population.
The issue has been termed as a “technical injustice” by BJP leader CT Ravi, who has demanded that the exam be reconducted with Kannada as one of the mediums. The pro-Kannada groups have argued that the decision to exclude Kannada from the exam is a deliberate attempt to favor Hindi-speaking candidates over local ones. They have pointed out that Bengaluru is the capital of Karnataka, and it is only logical that the local language, Kannada, should be included as a medium of instruction in any exam conducted in the state.
The controversy has highlighted the long-standing debate over the use of language in official exams and the alleged bias against regional languages. The pro-Kannada groups have argued that the exclusion of Kannada from the exam is a reflection of the larger issue of linguistic imperialism, where Hindi and English are imposed as the dominant languages, suppressing the regional languages. They have demanded that the railway authorities take immediate action to rectify the situation and ensure that Kannada is included as a medium of instruction in all future exams.
The issue has also sparked a larger debate over the role of language in education and employment. Many have argued that the exclusion of Kannada from the exam is a clear example of how the education system and employment opportunities are designed to favor those who are proficient in Hindi and English, while leaving out those who are more comfortable with their regional language. This, they argue, perpetuates a cycle of disadvantage for those who are not fluent in Hindi or English, making it difficult for them to access education and employment opportunities.
The controversy has also raised questions about the implementation of language policies in the country. The Official Languages Act, 1963, recognizes Hindi and English as the official languages of the country, but it also provides for the use of regional languages in official transactions. The Act states that the use of regional languages should be promoted and encouraged, and that they should be used in official transactions as far as possible. However, in practice, the use of regional languages is often neglected, and Hindi and English are imposed as the dominant languages.
In the case of Karnataka, the state has its own language policy, which recognizes Kannada as the official language. The policy states that Kannada should be used in all official transactions, including education and employment. However, the exclusion of Kannada from the railway exam suggests that this policy is not being implemented effectively.
The issue has sparked widespread outrage in Karnataka, with many taking to social media to express their anger and disappointment. The hashtag #JusticeForKannada has been trending on Twitter, with many demanding that the railway authorities take immediate action to rectify the situation. The pro-Kannada groups have also planned protests and demonstrations in the city, demanding that the exam be reconducted with Kannada as one of the mediums.
In conclusion, the exclusion of Kannada from the railway exam in Bengaluru has sparked a major controversy in the state, highlighting the long-standing debate over the use of language in official exams and the alleged bias against regional languages. The issue has raised questions about the implementation of language policies in the country and the need to promote and encourage the use of regional languages. The pro-Kannada groups have demanded that the railway authorities take immediate action to rectify the situation and ensure that Kannada is included as a medium of instruction in all future exams.
The controversy has also highlighted the importance of language in education and employment, and the need to create opportunities for those who are proficient in regional languages. It has sparked a larger debate over the role of language in shaping the opportunities and outcomes of individuals, and the need to promote linguistic diversity and inclusivity.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the railway authorities will respond to the demands of the pro-Kannada groups. However, one thing is clear – the exclusion of Kannada from the railway exam has sparked a major row, and it will have far-reaching implications for the use of language in official exams and the promotion of regional languages in the country.
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