High court seeks reply on Kannada mandate

The Karnataka High Court has directed the state government to respond within three weeks to a petition challenging the mandatory inclusion of Kannada as a subject in CBSE and CISCE-affiliated schools across the state. The division bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice V. Kameswar Rao and Justice C.M. Joshi, was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by C. Somashekar and others—parents and educators concerned about the impact of the government’s directive.

During the hearing, the petitioners’ counsel argued that although the petition was filed long ago, the government had not raised any objections over the past two years. Reacting sharply, the bench remarked, “The government has remained inactive for two years. It must wake up now or else we will consider the plea seeking interim relief.” The bench then granted the government three weeks to file its objections and adjourned further hearing.

The petitioners contended that the enforcement of the Kannada Language Learning Act, 2015, and related rules is causing undue hardship to students. They argued that requiring Kannada as the first or second language, under various provisions including Rule 6(2) of the Non-Need Certificate Rules, infringes on students’ rights to choose their preferred languages and negatively impacts their education and future career opportunities. The petition also raised concerns over threats of punitive action against schools for non-compliance, including withdrawal of the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) under Rule 6(5). The case brings into focus the ongoing tension between regional language promotion and parental choice in education.