Sat Jan 10 13:53:40 UTC 2026: # Kerala-Karnataka Language Dispute Escalates Over Malayalam Language Bill

The Story: The Aikya Malayala Prasthanam, a forum promoting the Malayalam language, has refuted claims that the Malayalam Language Bill, 2025, passed by the Kerala Assembly, is unconstitutional and detrimental to Kannada-speaking minorities. This rebuttal follows concerns raised by Karnataka officials, including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah calling Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to withdraw the bill, and a delegation from the Karnataka Border Area Development Authority meeting with Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar. The Malayalam advocacy group asserts that Karnataka’s objections are unfounded and represent an encroachment on Kerala’s constitutional rights regarding language policy.

Key Points:

  • The Malayalam Language Bill, 2025, awaits the Kerala Governor’s assent.
  • Karnataka officials have voiced concerns over the Bill’s potential impact on Kannada speakers in Kerala.
  • The Aikya Malayala Prasthanam claims the Bill protects linguistic minorities, citing provisions for learning Malayalam alongside their mother tongue and allowing communication with the government in their native language.
  • The organization alleges that Karnataka’s language laws, including the Kannada Language Learning Act, 2015, and the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act, 2022, discriminate against linguistic minorities by mandating compulsory Kannada education.
  • The Malayalam Language Bill states students from other States and countries studying in Kerala should be exempted from Malayalam examinations from Classes IX to XII.

Key Takeaways:

  • Tensions between Kerala and Karnataka are rising over language policies.
  • The debate centers on the balance between promoting the state’s official language and protecting the rights of linguistic minorities.
  • Both states accuse each other of discriminatory practices in their respective language laws.

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