The Karnataka Border Areas Development Authority (KBADA) has formally raised objections to the Kerala government’s proposed Malayalam Language Bill 2025.
The bill aims to mandate Malayalam as the compulsory first language from Classes 1 to 10 across all schools in Kerala, including Kannada-medium institutions in the Kasaragod district.
A high-level delegation met Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Wednesday to submit a memorandum, arguing that the move would marginalise Kannada-speaking minorities.
The Governor has reportedly assured a comprehensive review, while the KBADA terms the legislation unconstitutional and a threat to linguistic heritage.
What is Malayalam Language Bill 2025
The Malayalam Language Bill 2025 is a legislative proposal by the Kerala government designed to establish Malayalam as the mandatory first language in all educational institutions across the state, from Class 1 to 10.
The bill aims to reinforce regional identity by ensuring that every student, regardless of whether they study in government, aided, or private schools, gains proficiency in the state’s primary language.
While the government views this as a vital step toward cultural preservation and administrative uniformity, the bill includes controversial provisions that mandate Malayalam as a compulsory subject even in minority-run or linguistic-minority schools, such as the Kannada-medium institutions in the Kasaragod border region.
Why Karnataka Objects
The central point of contention lies in Kasaragod, a border district in Kerala with a significant population of Kannada-speaking families. The KBADA argues that the bill violates key constitutional safeguards designed to protect linguistic minorities.
Specifically, the authority cited Articles 30, 347, 350, 350A, and 350B of the Indian Constitution, which ensure a child’s right to education in their mother tongue.
The authority stated that the mandate would place Kannada students at a severe disadvantage, forcing them to learn a language they are unfamiliar with, which could negatively impact their academic performance and future career opportunities.
Karnataka CM Reacts
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has termed the bill a “coercive approach” and an “attack on linguistic freedom.”
He emphasized that for border residents in Kasaragod, Kannada is not just a subject but a matter of “identity and dignity.”
“Kannadigas living in Kerala border districts mainly in Kasaragod will be deprived of the opportunity to learn mother tongue. We did not expect such a move from the communist government of Kerala to suppress the fundamental right of language minorities,” Siddaramaiah wrote on Instagram.
Warning that promotion must not become imposition, he urged the Kerala government to uphold constitutional morality, asserting that Karnataka will use all legal means to protect the rights of linguistic minorities.
“I urge Kerala Chief Minister Pinaray Vijayan to immediately withdraw the Malayali Language Bill-2025 passed by Kerala Assembly in this background.”
Historical Precedence
This is not the first time Kerala has attempted to implement such a language policy. The KBADA pointed out that a similar proposal was rejected by the President of India in 2017 after similar concerns were raised.
Furthermore, the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs has previously advised the Kerala government to actively protect the cultural and educational interests of the Kannada-speaking population in Kasaragod.
The authority insists that rather than imposing Malayalam, the state should focus on constitutional requirements like appointing more Kannada teachers and ensuring the language is used on signboards at police stations and national highways.
Interstate Tensions
The timing of the bill has added to the diplomatic friction between Karnataka and Kerala. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has joined the chorus of opposition, urging the Kerala government to withdraw the bill to protect the rights of “Kannadigas in the border region.”
The delegation that met the Governor included high-ranking officials such as KBADA Secretary Prakash V. Mattihalli and various teachers’ association presidents.
They have demanded that the Kasaragod district collector’s committee hold bi-monthly meetings to address minority grievances. This language row has become a significant flashpoint in the broader narrative of regional identity and federalism in South India.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that the soul of India lies in its linguistic diversity and the principle of “live and let live.”
While every state has the right to promote its native language, it must do so without crushing the identity of those who speak a different tongue. Education should be a tool for empowerment, not a source of exclusion.
Imposing a language on minority students can create psychological and academic barriers that last a lifetime. We advocate for a policy of “inclusive regionalism,” where the promotion of Malayalam coexists with the preservation of Kannada.
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