Intro
Kannada-medium students from Kasaragod have challenged mandatory Malayalam learning rules in Kerala High Court seeking exemption.
Kasaragod
A group of Kannada-medium students from Kasaragod district has approached the Kerala High Court challenging the state government’s decision to make Malayalam learning compulsory in schools, seeking exemption for Kannada-medium institutions in the border region.
The petitioners have argued that the mandatory language requirement violates the constitutional rights of linguistic minorities and disproportionately affects students studying in Kannada-medium schools in Kasaragod. They claim that forcing Malayalam as a compulsory subject undermines their educational rights and cultural identity.
The petition has been filed by seven students, including Deeksha, Tanisha, Dhanush, Harshri, Muhammad, Shivajit and Muhammad Riyaz, who have jointly sought relief from the enforcement of the rule. They have requested that the court grant interim protection until a final verdict is delivered.
The case has been admitted by a single-judge bench of the Kerala High Court headed by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas. The court has issued urgent notices to the Kerala government and the Department of Public Education, asking them to respond to the allegations raised in the petition.
The students have contended that the policy amounts to discrimination against linguistic minorities in a region where Kannada-speaking populations form a significant section of the community. They have urged the court to ensure that education policies respect India’s multilingual framework and safeguard minority language rights.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on June 9, when the court will consider arguments related to the interim stay plea and examine whether the rule should be temporarily suspended.
The case has drawn attention in Kasaragod, a linguistically diverse district where both Kannada and Malayalam are widely spoken. Education experts note that the outcome of the case could have broader implications for language policy in border districts and minority-medium schools across the state.
Authorities from the state education department are expected to present their response during the next hearing as the legal debate over language instruction in schools continues.
