Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, May 14: Kerala government has issued an order, granting Kannada language minority region status to Manjeshwar taluk.

Manjeshwar had been carved out as a separate taluk by splitting Kannada language minority region, Kasargod. At that time, linguistic minority status was not granted to Manjeshwar. Therefore, Kannadigas from the taluk were deprived of certain facilities.

In view of this, president of Karnataka Samiti and advocate K M Ballakuraya, had taken up the issue of granting this status to Manjeshwar taluk in 2014 itself. This demand was followed up actively with the district collector and State Minorities Committee. Protest demonstration, strike etc were undertaken. A delegation also visited Thiruvananthapuram and convinced the officials about the need to announce Manjeshwar as linguistic minority area. The file, which was pending in the office of the chief minister for the last six months, has now come back with the signature of the chief minister.

Kannadigas from Manjeshwar will henceforth get Kannada linguistic minority facilities of Kerala and Gadinada Kannadiga facilities in Karnataka. The Kannadigas should be vigilant and bold in browbeating efforts if any majority Malayali speaking people may make to rob this facility. Already the locals have been raising objections to facilities enjoyed by linguistic minorities in Kasargod district.

Even though there is a rule that every government office here should have a Kannada-knowing official, the Malayali officers are opposed to it. Posts of high school headmasters in linguistic minority area, posts of assistant education officer and district education officer are reserved for Kannadigas and unions representing the majority have been trying to usurp these facilities. Kannadigas can serve their own interests by ensuring that their children study in Kannada medium schools.