Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has issued a detailed response to mounting criticism from neighbouring Karnataka over the Malayalam Language Bill, 2025, emphasizing that the legislation does not impose Malayalam on linguistic minorities and fully protects constitutional rights. His remarks come amid a political and inter-state row that has drawn national attention as the bill awaits gubernatorial assent.
The controversy escalated after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wrote to Vijayan, warning that the bill — which seeks to declare Malayalam as Kerala’s official language and make it the first language in schools — could adversely affect Kannada-speaking communities, especially in the Kasaragod border district. Siddaramaiah described the proposal as potentially violating linguistic freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, and urged Kerala to withdraw the bill, saying it could disrupt the long-standing linguistic harmony in border areas.
In his rebuttal, Vijayan stressed that concerns raised by Karnataka do not reflect the facts of the legislation. He pointed to specific provisions, including a non-obstante clause, that explicitly safeguard the rights of linguistic minorities such as Kannada and Tamil speakers. He highlighted that in officially designated areas, people may continue using their mother tongues for official correspondence with government departments, and replies will be issued in the same language.
On the educational front, Vijayan clarified that students whose mother tongue is not Malayalam have the freedom to choose other languages offered in accordance with the National Education Curriculum, and are not compelled to take Malayalam examinations at higher levels. The chief minister reiterated that Kerala’s language policy aligns with relevant constitutional provisions, including the Official Languages Act, 1963, and Articles 346 and 347 of the Constitution, underscoring the state’s commitment to pluralism and federal rights.
The exchange highlights broader debates over linguistic identity, federal autonomy, and minority rights as both states navigate political narratives ahead of upcoming elections and in the context of India’s diverse linguistic landscape.
