Stressing the need for a non-violent massive movement for sustenance of Kannada, Dr. Siddalingaiah, poet and president of 81st Akhila Bharatha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, called upon the public to join the movement and be prepared for any sacrifice to succeed. Karnataka Government should appeal the Centre for suitable amendments to facilitate primary schooling in all languages of the eighth schedule of the constitution, he said in his speech, delivered at the inauguration of the Sammelana.
The Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the issue of medium of instruction had affected all regional languages. For the survival of these languages, the Centre should bring in a national language policy. Chief Minister of Karnataka should make efforts to create consensus among other states in this regard.
“As these efforts may take a long time, till then, State Government should have its own state language policy on the basis of the Right to Education Act. The concept of mother tongue in the Section 29(2) F of the Act should be redefined as mother tongue or state language”, Dr. Siddalingaiah said. Further, he remarked if these things were implemented the uniform education the division of schools as rich and poor would end. “Son of a minister, son of a crorepathi son of a daily wage worker, a pourakarmika or a Prime Minister will learn under one roof”, the poet said.
Gram Panchayat schools
Referring to decline in number of government schools in the state, he said in the year 2013-14 the number of government primary schools came down by 159 compared to the previous year. However, in the same year the number of private schools increased by 514. More than 24,000 posts of teachers had remained vacant, prompting increase in single-teacher schools. As a result many parents are admitting their children to private schools. He said all government schools should be provided with basic necessities and they should be named as Gram Panchayat Public Schools. English should be taught as a language from the first standard effectively.
Responding to the recent controversy over division of Karnataka state, Dr. Siddalingaiah said division of the state was not solution to the problems faced by under developed regions of the state. The State Government should exhibit commitment to improve backward areas as per the recommendations of the Dr. D.M. Nanjundappa on regional imbalance.
Kannada year
Dr. Siddalingaiah urged the State Government to declare year 2015 as Kannada Year to mark the centenary celebrations of Kannada Sahitya Parishat. Through the year, all institutions, including private and government, should dedicate one day in a week to celebrate Kannada day. On this day seminars and discussions related to art and culture of Karnataka could be organised, he added.
Anti-Superstition Bill
Dr. Siddalingaiah has demanded an effective anti-superstition bill to put an end to harassment of innocents in the name of blind beliefs or superstition. Women were being made to stay out of their houses during their menstruation period in many villages. Rolling over plantain leaves with left-over food is neither a Dharma nor a healthy practice, he said. “I don’t oppose any belief or a practice which enhances man’s morale or confidence. But oppose those hurts human dignity”, he said.
Expressing concern over instances of untouchability, Dr. Siddalingaiah said he would wish to see children of all castes and communities sitting together for lunch, prepared by a Dalit woman in schools. “People of upper castes should also join hands with Dalits to eliminate the practice of untouchability”, he said.
