Over three decades after the launch of Gokak movement, which led to Kannada getting the first language status in the State, plans are afoot to push for Constitutional amendment to make it possible for the State to make mother tongue of Kannada the compulsory medium of instruction.
The weekend saw the former president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP), Chandrashekara Patil, announcing his intention to float ‘Kannada Para Sanghatanegala Koota’ (KAPASAK), a federation of Kannada organisations, to launch a movement to pressurise the Centre to amend the Constitution.
The stress on Constitutional amendment comes in the light of the earlier Supreme Court judgement on the language issue, which said that “imposition” of a language of instruction by a State is “unconstitutional”.
Prof. Patil has drawn support from Kannada organisations, besides KSP and Kannada Development Authority.
According to Prof. Patil, Gokak agitation was launched on April 2, 1982. It intensified after Kannada activist and former Minister, K.V. Shankare Gowda, launched an agitation in Mandya on May 15 under the banner of Akhila Karnataka Kendra Kannada Kriya Samiti. With matinee idol Dr. Rajkumar assuming leadership, the agitation gained momentum. Finally, succumbing to public pressure, the Congress government headed by R. Gundu Rao accepted recommendation made by the Gokak Committee to provide first language status to Kannada. Kannada organisations celebrated “victory” on July 27.
“We hope to force a Constitutional amendment by launching a movement on the lines of Gokak agitation,” said Prof. Patil.
KDA chairperson L. Hanumanthaiah said the KDA would extend support for the movement. Similar was the response of Manu Baligar, the president of KSP.
“A meeting of Kannada organisations and progressive movements, which are demanding that mother tongue be the medium of instruction, has been convened on May 15. The one-point agenda will be ‘Constitutional amendment to make mother tongue (Kannada) as medium of instruction’. The forum will be officially launched on that day. The cine industry will be part of the movement,” said Prof. Patil, who played a pivotal role in the movement three decades ago.
