'Contrary to NEP': Kannada as compulsory subject will create problems, says Karnataka HC

NEW DELHI: The Karnataka High Court recently said that making Kannada compulsory for students in higher education is a “sensitive issue” and that it will create problems for students.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice SS Magadum said, “This will create a problem. Tomorrow Tamil Nadu will say we will have Tamil as a compulsory language, Uttar Pradesh will want Hindi to be compulsory for graduation. Every State will impose its language. For students, it will be difficult,” as per the Bar and Bench report.

In September, the Karnataka government said that it may relax its stand that all students have to study Kannada for at least four semesters from the next academic year. And said that students who have not learnt the language in school will have to learn Kannada only for two semesters.

Compulsory Kannada for higher education will create problems for students: Karnataka High Court

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— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) October 9, 2021

The petition stated that the government orders are contrary to the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution of India. And the plea further sought a “declaration that NEP does not impose any restriction upon the student to choose any particular language as part of the curricula for higher education”.

As per the report, Senior Advocate SS Naganand appearing for the petitioners said, “It is contrary to the vision and objective of the NEP and that the decision would affect a total of 1,32,000 students in the state.”

The High Court also directed that notice be served to the state government as well as the Union of India.