HC to govt: Don’t force degree students to take Kannada language

HC to govt: Don’t force degree students to take Kannada language

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:17.12.2021

The high court on Thursday observed that until further orders, students who do not wish to take Kannada language in their degree courses should not be compelled to pursue it based on the circulars issued by the state government.

“Prima facie, we are of the view that the matter with respect to implementation of Kannada language as a compulsory subject in higher studies on the basis of implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) is a question which requires consideration. As such, the state government at this stage, shall not insist on making Kannada language compulsory. Students who have already taken Kannada language on the basis of their choice may do so but those who do not wish to take Kannada language shall not be compelled to pursue the language till further orders,” a division bench headed by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi observed in its order.

Earlier, MB Nargund, Additional Solicitor General appearing for the Centre, informed the court that making any language compulsory in any particular state on the basis of implementation of NEP would have vast ramifications and as such the central government has to take a decision in consultation with the state governments in this regard.

Four weeks sought to file central govt affidavit

He said that necessary meetings for this purpose could not be held so far and as such he is not in a position to spell out the stand of the central government in respect of making Kannada language compulsory in Karnataka. Nargund submitted that a detailed counter affidavit on behalf of the Centre in this regard would be filed shortly and requested for four weeks’ time.

Shridhar Prabhu, counsel for five students, said that the court by means of an interim order passed on December 13, 2021, directed the state government and Bangalore City University not to precipitate the matter with respect to making Kannada compulsory. He requested the court to further clarify by saying that the petitioner students are free to choose the language they want as they have taken admissions in the current academic session.

However, Advocate-General Prabhuling K Navadgi, referring to the petition that has been filed by the five students, claimed that they have in fact already studied Kannada up to class 12 and as such they cannot have any objection in studying Kannada in higher classes.

Two petitions

The high court is hearing two petitions on this issue, a public interest litigation by Samskrita Bharati (Karnataka) Trust, Bengaluru, and three other institutions associated with promotion of Sanskrit language/study and another filed by the five students.

The petitioners have claimed that both these orders are against the very intent of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Students who have already taken Kannada language on the basis of their choice may do so but those who do not wish to take Kannada language shall not be compelled to pursue the language till further orders

—HC bench order