BENGALURU: The Kannada Development Authority (KDA), which has been aggressively pushing for the use of Kannada while opposing ‘imposition’ of Hindi on non-Hindi speaking states, is now goading other states to set up respective regional language development authorities.
KDA chairman S G Siddaramaiah said they do not have a problem with use of Hindi in central government offices, but added that Kannada should not be ignored. KDA insists on the use of Kannada in all official documents, notes, pamphlets, rubber stamps, visiting cards of officials, vehicle registration, website, etc. He pointed out that so far, there have been 316 government orders related to implementation of Kannada language, yet Kannada is not widely used.
“Hindi is imposed on non-Hindi-speaking states whether they want it or not. As a government authority, KDA is the only one which is fighting for the cause of the language. No other states have regional language development authorities. We have written letters to Chief Ministers across the country urging them to set up similar bodies,’’ he said.
The KDA chairman claimed that some states, including Kerala and Orissa, have responsed positively and are likely to set up Malayalam Development Authority and Odiya Development Authority. Other states like Tamil Nadu too have shown interest. “If we have regional language authorities in all the states, together as a federation, we can bring pressure on the Central government and prevent imposition of Hindi on us,’’ he said.
Noted Kannada writer and critic K Marulasiddappa welcomed the initiative. He, however, said that if the initiative has political support, things would have been better. “If members of Parliament from non-Hindi speaking states join hands, this would have more impact,’’ he felt.
“The Constitution does not say that Hindi is the national language. In fact, all the 22 recognised languages are national languages,’’ he argued.
All for Kannada
KDA and some pro-Kannada organisations brought pressure on BMRCL and were sucessful in getting Hindi signboards removed at Metro stations
KDA has recommended Kannada compulsory in colleges and universities
KDA has told bank employees to learn Kannada in six months or else move out
KDA chairman recently wrote a letter to Apple Inc CEO to develop Kannada keyboard layouts and fonts on its iOS software