Karnataka must actively fight for a two-language policy by legally challenging the NEP (National Education Policy 2020) and ensuring that Kannada and English are the only mandatory languages in schools.
Published Mar 10, 2025 | 7:29 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 10, 2025 | 7:29 PM
A map of Karnataka.
Synopsis: The increasing usage of Hindi over Kannada, particularly in Bengaluru, has begun to spark concern among Kannadigas. Kannada’s survival seems to be in a paradox: Political backing is unlikely without strong linguistic pride, but Kannada pride struggles to sustain itself without political support.
As Tamil Nadu reaffirms its commitment to a two-language policy by continuing to oppose the Union government’s Hindi push, a debate has emerged among Kannadigas.
Is Kannada losing its foothold? And if so, is there a need for stronger efforts to preserve it before further dilution?
Language is more than just a tool for communication — it carries culture and identity. However, Kannada’s position as Karnataka’s dominant language appears to be under strain. Unlike Tamil Nadu, where linguistic identity is strongly tied to politics, Karnataka has seen its influence weaken due to a mix of external pressures and internal complacency.
The increasing usage of Hindi over Kannada, particularly in Bengaluru, has begun to spark concern among Kannadigas. Unlike English, which is widely accepted as a neutral global tool, Hindi is often perceived as carrying nationalistic undertones that could erode Kannada’s identity.
Some national political forces seem to be leveraging Karnataka’s weakening linguistic pride to reinforce Hindi’s dominance in political, social and institutional spaces.
Unlike other South Indian languages of Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam, which historically had strong media ecosystems, Kannada has lagged — even though this has improved in recent years.
Other South Indian communities have also maintained their linguistic identity globally, while Kannada has yet to achieve it at a similar scale.
The presence of diverse languages, like Tulu, Konkani, Kodava, and Urdu, has contributed to an inclusive linguistic culture in Karnataka.
However, this accommodative nature may have made Karnataka more open to external influences, especially in border regions where Kannada interacts with other languages.
In Tamil Nadu, the Dravidian movement put Tamil at the heart of its political identity. Karnataka, however, has been largely dominated by national parties where Kannada has remained a secondary issue.
While the Gokak movement once ignited Kannada pride, the momentum was not sustained. The Tamil movement, on the other hand, was so influential that some Kannadigas hesitate to associate Kannada with the “Dravidian” identity, as the term is often perceived as being closely linked to Tamil-centric political movements rather than its linguistic classification.
It is also important to note that Bengaluru’s status as an economic hub has significantly influenced its linguistic landscape. According to the 2011 Census, only 44.6 percent of the city’s population listed Kannada as their mother tongue. With rapid migration, concerns have emerged that Kannada speakers in Bengaluru may now be under 40 percent, even though official data is yet to confirm this trend.
Tamil Nadu has largely seen a singular linguistic movement (Tamil vs Hindi), but Karnataka has experienced multiple conflicts, Kannada vs Tamil, Kannada vs Hindi, Kannada vs Marathi — making it difficult to present a unified stance.
While some activism has positively raised awareness, methods like vandalism, harassment, and threats from self-proclaimed protectors, who target businesses and individuals — have created a negative perception of language advocacy, leading to pushback.
Kannada’s survival seems to be in a paradox: Political backing is unlikely without strong linguistic pride, but Kannada pride struggles to sustain itself without political support.
Since language issues rarely influence election results in Karnataka, political parties have little motivation to prioritise them.
But, to break this cycle, the government must, for now:
Mandate Kannada training for government employees
Any non-Kannada-speaking employee joining a government office should undergo a basic Kannada training program and test. This ensures that locals don’t have to rely on Hindi to access services.
Encourage businesses to integrate Kannada
Workplaces could adopt Kannada through cultural initiatives and engagement programs. Incentivising businesses that promote Kannada, through certain benefits or public recognition, could encourage wider adoption.
Support local news media
Media houses could play a larger role in reinforcing Kannada pride by prioritising meaningful content. The government should fund pro-Kannada journalism and encourage digital Kannada content.
Engage cultural influencers
Teachers, poets, and public figures could be more involved in govt initiatives that sustain Kannada’s everyday presence.
Regulate language advocacy groups
The government should explicitly discourage intimidation tactics and instead support structured, peaceful awareness campaigns that promote Kannada positively.
Strictly enforce bilingual signage
Public boards should strictly follow a Kannada-English-only format to ensure consistency. This will help outsiders recognise Kannada words, letters, and patterns, making it easier for them to adapt to the language for daily interactions.
Karnataka must actively fight for a two-language policy by legally challenging the NEP (National Education Policy 2020) and ensuring that Kannada and English are the only mandatory languages in schools.
Without strong political will, Hindi will continue to dilute Kannada’s role, despite serving neither a local nor a global purpose.
Tamil Nadu has shown that linguistic pride can coexist with economic growth. So why can’t Karnataka?
A thriving Kannada doesn’t mean shutting out others but ensuring that our language remains relevant in education, business, and daily life.
(Views expressed here are personal. Sadanand Gunaga is a software engineer turned content creator and social media manager in the immigration industry. Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
