Sat Jan 10 14:17:18 UTC 2026: # Vijayan Defends Malayalam Language Bill Amidst Concerns from Karnataka

The Story: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly defended the Malayalam Language Bill, 2025, following concerns raised by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah regarding the protection of Kannada-speaking linguistic minorities in Kerala. Vijayan asserted that the Bill is inclusive and upholds the constitutional values of secularism and pluralism, with provisions to safeguard the rights of linguistic minorities, including the use of their mother tongues for official correspondence in notified areas.

Key Points:

  • Pinarayi Vijayan defends the Malayalam Language Bill, 2025, against concerns raised by Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah.
  • The Bill includes Clause 7, a non-obstante clause, to protect the rights of linguistic minorities, particularly Kannada and Tamil speakers.
  • The Bill allows Tamil and Kannada speakers in notified areas to use their languages for official correspondence with government offices, receiving replies in the same language.
  • Kerala’s language policy aligns with the Official Languages Act, 1963, and Articles 346 and 347 of the Constitution of India.
  • Students whose mother tongue is not Malayalam can choose other languages in accordance with the National Education Curriculum, and are not compelled to take Malayalam examinations at the IX, X, or Higher Secondary levels.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Malayalam Language Bill, 2025, is a contentious piece of legislation that has sparked concerns about the rights of linguistic minorities in Kerala.
  • The Kerala government is attempting to balance promoting Malayalam with protecting the rights of linguistic minorities, as guaranteed by the Constitution.
  • The defense of the Bill highlights ongoing tensions between states regarding language policies and the treatment of linguistic minorities.
  • Chief Minister Vijayan is attempting to reassure linguistic minorities about the protections that the Bill offers.
  • The Bill shows the continued challenges in language politics within India’s diverse linguistic landscape.

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