In the letter, sent on Friday, Siddaramaiah objected to clauses that could make Malayalam compulsory in schools across Kerala, including Kannada-medium institutions in districts such as Kasaragod that share close social, cultural, and economic ties with Karnataka. He said such a move could disrupt the existing educational ecosystem in these areas and place an undue burden on students and minority-run institutions.
The Karnataka Chief Minister cautioned that if the bill is enacted without adequate safeguards, his government would be compelled to exercise its constitutional rights to protect linguistic minorities. He underlined that Karnataka and Kerala have historically upheld the spirit of cooperative federalism and mutual respect, not only as neighbouring states but as partners bound by shared constitutional values.
“India’s civilisational strength lies in its plurality without fear,” Siddaramaiah wrote. “Any policy that forces adherence to a single linguistic path places an undue burden on children and weakens minority educational institutions.” He stressed that concerns raised by Kannada-speaking communities in Kasaragod and adjoining areas were rooted in practical realities of education and daily life, not opposition to the Malayalam language.
Siddaramaiah noted that a significant section of the population in Kasaragod has relied on Kannada for education for decades due to sustained interaction with Karnataka in trade, employment, and culture. He clarified that this long-standing practice does not diminish respect for Malayalam, which he described as a rich and vibrant language deserving promotion through consensus rather than compulsion.
Calling for dialogue, the Chief Minister urged the Kerala government to engage with Karnataka and affected stakeholders before moving ahead with legislation. He said such consultations would help preserve national unity while ensuring that every language and community is treated with dignity.
The letter also cited constitutional safeguards for linguistic minorities, referring to Articles 29 and 30, which protect the right to preserve language and manage educational institutions of choice, and Articles 350A and 350B, which mandate special provisions for minority linguistic interests.
The Kerala government has yet to formally respond to the communication. However, the issue is expected to trigger wider debate as states balance language promotion with constitutional guarantees in linguistically diverse border regions.
