Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (SP)
Kasargod, Jun 29: Manjeshwar MLA A K M Ashraf, clarified that Kerala government has not issued any order seeking to rename certain villages that are in Kannada into Malayalam. A number of villages in Kasargod and Manjeshwar where Kannada is spoken predominantly, have Kannada names.
The legislator gave this clarification through social website, Facebook, at a time when there is hue and cry over the unsubstantiated information that names of Kannada villages are being changed to suit Malayali pronunciations.
Manjeshwar MLA A K M Ashraf
Ashraf said in his Facebook post that he had contacted the personal assistant of the chief minister and Kasargod district collector over phone and sought clarifications from them. Ashraf said that he got to know that no such proposal is before the government and no circular to make these changes have been issued. He hastened to admit that because of software issues and on account of technical snags names of some villages have been misspelt in ration cards and clarified that the district collector has assured to take emergent steps to set right the mistakes.
He said that being Manjeshwar MLA, he wants to clarify that the rumour that the Kannada names of villages have been changed is being circulated in social websites and the matter gained prominence after former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, tweeted on the matter and central minister Pralhad Joshi, issued a statement. He also lamented about the statement issued by the Karnataka Border Development Authority chairman on the issue.
Ashraf expressed the opinion that there are certain problems which need to be addressed and the leaders should create an environment in which the same can be sorted out through organized efforts and that no confusion should arise in the matter of conserving and nurturing linguistic integration and cultural diversity. He promised to lead any struggles against any plan from the government to change names of any places, being a devoted Kannadiga, and that he will be always alert to protect the Kannada minority's constitutional rights.