Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has expressed concern over the declining proportion of Kannada speakers in Bengaluru, highlighting the need to protect the language and strengthen its presence in the state’s capital.
Speaking at the 71st Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations at Ravindra Kalakshetra on November 1, Shivakumar referred to demographic changes in the city and called for collective efforts to preserve Kannada’s linguistic and cultural identity.
Kannada speakers account for 44.5% of Bengaluru population
Citing the 2011 Census, Shivakumar pointed out that Kannada was the mother tongue of only 44.5 per cent of Bengaluru’s population. He contrasted this with an earlier estimate of around 90 per cent, underlining the scale of the demographic shift over the decades.
Bengaluru’s growth as a major technology, business and employment centre has attracted people from different parts of India and abroad. This has contributed to the city’s linguistic diversity, with several languages spoken across its neighbourhoods.
The figures cited at the event have renewed attention on the changing linguistic profile of Bengaluru and the importance of ensuring that Kannada continues to have a strong presence in public life.
Push to strengthen Kannada in the technology sector
Shivakumar also reiterated the government’s position on employment opportunities for Kannadigas. He referred to concerns that local candidates were being overlooked by some private companies, particularly in the information technology and biotechnology sectors.
The issue gained attention following a social media video in which a woman alleged that some Bengaluru-based companies preferred candidates proficient in Telugu or Tamil while overlooking Kannada-speaking applicants. These allegations have not been independently established.
The Deputy Chief Minister had earlier warned that the government would take appropriate action if private institutions were found deliberately discriminating against Kannadigas. He has also urged pro-Kannada organisations to avoid taking matters into their own hands and to resolve such concerns through dialogue and within the framework of the law.
State flag recognition and Kannada’s future
The Rajyotsava address also included a call for official recognition of Karnataka’s state flag, or naadadhwaja, alongside the national flag.
Shivakumar urged people across Karnataka to present a united message to the Centre on the issue. He argued that recognising the state’s flag would reflect Karnataka’s identity and contribution to the country.
He also stressed the importance of taking Kannada into emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, start-ups and digital technology. The language, he indicated, should continue to evolve and remain relevant to younger generations.
Kannada Rajyotsava awards presented to 71 achievers
The celebrations at Ravindra Kalakshetra also featured the presentation of the Kannada Rajyotsava Prashasti to 71 achievers for their contributions to different fields.
The event recognised individuals associated with Kannada language, literature, culture and other areas of public life.
Shivakumar’s remarks brought together concerns about Bengaluru’s changing linguistic profile, employment opportunities for local candidates and the need to strengthen Kannada in modern sectors. The discussions have once again placed language preservation and the future of Kannada in the spotlight as the city continues to grow as an international technology hub.