Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Aug 1: The state government’s advocacy towards Kannada language reached a new level with a 14-minute video starring chief minister Siddaramaiah as the "leader and protector of Kannada people".

The video titled 'Karnataka Namma Hemme' (Karnataka Our Pride) was released on You Tube on Sunday. The CM is seen advising people to be proud of the Kannada land as well as sending a stern message to ‘neighbours’ who attack the state.

"Our neighbours are our brothers and sisters. But if anyone attacks our language, our land or our water, it cannot be tolerated. Protecting that (Kannada land and Kannada people) is our responsibility. While we should respect every person, we should also make it clear that we will not tolerate any attempt to suppress our language and land," asserted the CM in the video (appearing between 7.50 and 8 minutes).

Siddaramaiah’s contribution towards Kannada from the beginning of his political career has also been highlighted in the video.

"I have associated myself with people like Devanoora Mahadeva, Dr Rajkumar and pro-Kannada activist Pa Mallesh. The struggle for the unification of Karnataka was a long and hard one. A lot of people have fought for the unification of Karnataka and now people are trying to break the state for their selfish gains which I will never allow," Siddaramaiah said.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah’s sudden enthusiasm in encouraging pro-Kannada movements is seen as a political gimmick to gain votes in the upcoming elections.

Union minister DV Sadananda Gowda has termed the Congress gimmick to be "worse than the British". "Just like the British, who tried to divide India and rule, Siddaramaiah is doing the same," Gowda said to media persons.

Earlier this month, the CM appointed a committee to have a separate state flag. He wrote a letter to Union Minister to remove three-language policy in Bengaluru Metro. Metro signages which had directions in Hindi were redesigned.

Later, the Kannada Development Authority submitted a report asking Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd to fire employees who were non Kannadigas.

"Stop Imposing Hindi in Schools"

In one of the latest moves, the Kannada Development Authority (KDA) is opposing the three language policy in schools.

According to a Times of India report, Kannada Development Authority Chairperson S G Siddaramaiah was quoted saying, "Now that the Metro issue has taken a positive shape, we will take up the issue of language in schools. Imposition of Hindi is being carried out in the guise of an optional third language, which need not exist. We believe the two-language policy is best suited for the state."

The KDA has also directed universities across the state to make Kannada a compulsory subject in undergraduate and postgraduate courses. They have issued circulars to universities, asking them to submit a status report on implementation of the Prof Boralingaiah committee report, which states that Kannada should be introduced in professional courses, including medical and engineering.

KDA is planning to design a curriculum to teach Kannada from the basics and issue it to these universities. The KDA chairperson has also met the principal secretary of higher education a few weeks back, to discuss implementing Kannada at the college level.