Badanehal Dattatreyagoud, Kannada protagonist in areas bordering Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, spoke about the threat to Kannada with the State government deciding to introduce the English medium in primary schools.
“As of now, Kannada is threatened as as people speaking the language have reduced on one hand and other languages are becoming dominant in border areas. In this situation, the government’s decision to introduce the English medium will severely affect the development of Kannada,” he said.
Mr. Dattatreyagoud was delivering the presidential address at the sixth two-day Gadinad Kannada Sahitya Sammelan at Holagundi in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, adjoining Ballari district, on Monday. “I appeal to all Kannada protagonists, littérateurs, activists, organisations, among others to oppose the government’s move and prevail upon it to review its decision,” he urged.
He was also of the view that lack of exchange of views by coordination committees had caused a problem. “Kannada, needs all support and encouragement, without which organising sammelans and meetings would be a waste. The State government should revise its order on 5% reservation in State Civil Services for all those in the country who have studied in Kannada medium from 1st to 10th standard by removing the phrase ‘all over the country’ and limiting it to horanaadu/gadinaadu Kannadigas,” he said.
He also underlined the need for the State government to provide hostel facilities for students in border areas irrespective of their caste, creed and income. The Kannada Book Authority, which has been providing books to school libraries should do so for Kannada medium schools in border areas too.
Channabasavanna of Lohiya Prakashan; A.H.G. Shivakumar, president, Kannada Sahitya Parishat (Andhra Gadinad unit); Jaji Devendrappa, were among those who spoke on the occasion.
Procession
Earlier, Mr. Dattatreyagoud was taken out in a colourful procession, that passed through the main road, before reaching the venue.
