Mysuru, Sep 20 (IANS): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah remarked that the Governor would issue a notice against him for advocating mandatory use of Kannada in the state.
Speaking at the 'Karnataka Cultural Outlook: A Thought Symposium' in Mysuru, he emphasized the importance of strengthening the Kannada language and environment.
“In Tamil Nadu, business is conducted in Tamil; in Kerala, in Malayalam; in Andhra Pradesh, in Telugu; in Maharashtra, in Marathi. But in Karnataka, people are eager to conduct business in their own languages rather than in Kannada. This is not right. We must strengthen the Kannada environment and language,” he stated after inaugurating the symposium organised by the Department of Kannada and Culture and the National Saint Poet Kanakadasa Study and Research Centre at the Kaveri Auditorium of Karnataka State Open University.
The Chief Minister declared that Karnataka and Kannada should be the breath of seven crore people, noting that it would benefit non-Kannada speakers living in the state to learn the language as well.
“We are not against any language. Learning as many languages as possible is beneficial. However, in Karnataka, we must create and fully utilize a Kannada environment. This is the responsibility of every Kannadiga,” he said.
Siddaramaiah urged citizens to work harder to expand and strengthen the Kannada environment, asserting that Karnataka is a cradle of pluralism. He lamented that educated individuals have increasingly abandoned pluralism and secularism in favor of discrimination and outdated practices.
Reflecting on the historical renaming of the state in 1973, he criticized the BJP for failing to celebrate its 50th anniversary as a golden jubilee. In response, he announced the Kannada Janotsava (Festival of Kannada) to honour this milestone.
He also noted that Basavanna, the 12th-century social reformer, has been declared a cultural leader to promote his philosophical ideas among the youth.
“The essence of Kannada, Karnataka, pluralism, and philosophical thinking has come together to form the concept of ‘Kannadatana’ (Kannadiga identity). This cultural symposium is aimed at passing this history and essence to the next generation. I am confident that intellectuals like you will provide a proper cultural outlook,” he said.
“The Governor will also issue notice against me for making this speech,” Siddaramaiah maintained.