RAICHUR: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday urged the people of Karnataka to adopt Kannada as their “business language” during an event marking 50 years since the renaming of the erstwhile Mysore state to Karnataka. He expressed his vision for making Kannada the primary and official language of the state, appealing to residents to embrace it in their daily lives.
“All the people living here are Kannadigas. No matter what your home language is, the ‘business language’ should be Kannada. Kannada should be the main and first language in the state,” he stated emphatically. He encouraged citizens to learn multiple languages while underscoring the importance of preserving Kannada as the official language.
Reflecting on the historical Gokak agitation, which aimed to secure first language status for Kannada, Siddaramaiah noted the establishment of the ‘Kannada Kavalu Samiti’ to foster an environment conducive to the language’s growth in Karnataka. This committee eventually evolved into the Kannada Development Authority, which continues to champion the cause of the language.
The Chief Minister emphasised the need to respect all languages and urged the public to learn as many as they can but cautioned against relinquishing Kannada, the language deeply rooted in the state’s culture and identity.
During the event, Siddaramaiah honoured senior Kannada activists and prominent figures from the Gokak movement, recognising their contributions to the preservation and promotion of the Kannada language. His call to action resonates with the ongoing efforts to strengthen Kannada’s status and encourage its use in all spheres of life in Karnataka.