The controversy began after a series of viral posts by right-wing users on X alleged that the state budget allocated ₹100 crore for Urdu promotion for the year 2025–26, while allotting just ₹32 crore for Kannada.
Published May 27, 2025 | 6:25 PM ⚊ Updated May 27, 2025 | 6:25 PM
CM SIddaramiah
Synopsis: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has strongly denied allegations that his government is favouring Urdu over Kannada, accusing the BJP of spreading false narratives to incite communal tensions. The row began after social media posts alleged that more money was being allocated to Urdu than Kannada in the state budget. The Chief Minister said the funds in question were meant to improve infrastructure in Urdu-medium schools, not to promote the language.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has strongly refuted claims that his government is neglecting Kannada in favour of Urdu, accusing the BJP of fuelling communal tension through “false narratives”.
The controversy began after a series of viral posts by right-wing users on X alleged that the state budget allocated ₹100 crore for Urdu promotion for the year 2025–26, while allotting just ₹32 crore for Kannada.
The posts accused the Congress-led state government of engaging in “appeasement politics” at the cost of Kannada identity.
The posts gained traction following another language controversy that erupted last week.
“The BJP in Karnataka is spreading a false narrative that our government is neglecting Kannada and giving more funds to Urdu. This is not just far from the truth – it is a deliberate attempt to create communal tension,” Siddaramaiah said in a press statement issued on Tuesday, 27 May.
“It is unfortunate that a national party is acting like irresponsible internet trolls and spreading such baseless lies.”
Addressing the primary claim of the ₹100 crore allocation under the Minority Welfare Department, the Chief Minister stated that the funds are intended for the improvement of Urdu-medium schools – including better classrooms, teachers, textbooks, and infrastructure – and not for language promotion alone.
“This is not just for language, but for the overall improvement of schools that serve a large number of students,” he clarified.
Siddaramaiah further explained that for the financial year 2025–26, the government has earmarked ₹34,438 crore to the Department of Primary and Secondary Education and another ₹4,150 crore to schools under the Social Welfare and other departments – a total of ₹38,688 crore.
Additionally, ₹999.30 crore has been allocated for maintaining and upgrading infrastructure in government schools.
“All of this money supports Kannada education. So when the BJP claims that only ₹32 crore is given to Kannada, it is clearly a political lie meant to mislead the people,” he added.
The posts gained traction following another language controversy that erupted last week, after a video surfaced showing a bank manager in Anekal, Bengaluru Rural district, refusing to speak Kannada when requested by a customer.
The manager was seen asserting, “I will not speak Kannada. You have not given me employment. This is India,” and insisted on speaking Hindi.
The video sparked widespread outrage, especially among pro-Kannada activists and Karnataka politicians who saw it as a case of Hindi imposition.
Both Siddaramaiah and BJP MP Tejasvi Surya condemned the incident. Following the public backlash, the State Bank of India transferred the manager.
Meanwhile, social media erupted into a war of words, with many North Indian and right-wing users defending the bank manager in response to the backlash.
Soon after, posts accusing Siddaramaiah of favouritism began gaining traction, portraying the funding as a contradiction to his pro-Kannada stance.
The posts were later amplified by the official X handle of the BJP Karnataka unit.
Siddaramaiah denounced the accusations as attempts to communalise language issues.
“Linking a language to a particular caste or religion is disrespectful to that language. Our government respects all languages spoken in Karnataka,” he said.
“That is why we have separate academies for Tulu, Konkani, Kodava, Byari, and Arebhashe – each with ₹80 lakh grants every year, plus extra funding for cultural activities.”
He emphasised the State’s continued commitment to Kannada through its Department of Kannada and Culture, which runs 14 academies, 3 authorities, and 24 trusts named after Kannada writers.
“For us, Kannada is not just a language – it is our identity, pride, and mother tongue. Our government has always stood firmly for Kannada, for Karnataka, and for our people,” he said.
“We will never compromise on protecting our land, water, or language. And we will never tolerate disrespect towards our culture.”
Calling the BJP’s allegations “a betrayal of Karnataka,” he demanded that the party “immediately issue a public clarification and apologise to the people of the state for this dangerous and divisive propaganda.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
