Defying HC, CM bats for Kannada medium schools

The court ruled that the 1994 policy would be applicable only to schools run by the Government or aided by it.

“Government policy compelling children studying in other Government recognized schools to have primary education only in the mother tongue or the regional language violates Article 19 (1)(g), 26 and 30(1) of the Constitution of India,” the court said.

Chief Minister Yeddyurappa convened a meeting of Kannada literary greats, legal experts, film world representatives, politicians and Kannada activists to explore possibilities for countering the High Court order.

Jnanpith awardee U R Ananthamurthy called the High Court order unacceptable and said it would lead to the increased commercialisation of education in Karnataka. “We must protect against the creation of an English only country,” he said at the meeting.

Kannada poet G S Shivarudrappa said the High Court order goes against the principle of universal education. Having two different language policies for schools will lead to a divided society, he said.

Several writers asked the Government to bring in an ordinance at the earliest to go around the HC order and retain Kannada as the medium of instruction in all schools.

In his opening remarks at the meeting Yeddyurappa said his government would weigh all possibilities put forth at the meeting before deciding on the next course of action. “When it comes to the protection of the land, water, language and culture of this state our government is not ready to resign to any fate,” he said.

The Government is weighing the possibility of approaching the Supreme Court against the July 2 order.