Published 18:50 IST, September 16th 2019
Yediyurappa 'won't compromise on importance of Kannada' in Karnataka
Karnataka CM Yediyurappa has said that he is not ready to compromise on the importance of Kannada and that his govt will promote the language & state's culture
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Monday said that Kannada is the principal language of the State and he is not ready to compromise on its importance. On his twitter handle, he also mentioned that all the official languages in India have equal importance and the Government of Karnataka is committed to promoting Kannada and the State's culture. This statement comes after the Union Home Minister Amit Shah put forward the idea of ‘One Nation, One Language’ during the Hindi Diwas speech on September 14. The Home Minister further pushed for the need for one language so that foreign languages don't find a place in the Nation.
CM Yediyurappa's tweet
Other leaders opposing Amit Shah's Hindi pitch
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President MK Stalin, since the past two days, has been launching an attack at the Centre over Union Home Minister Amit Shah's idea of ‘One Nation, One Language.’ Stalin now has said that they are ready for any sacrifice to oppose Hindi imposition.
While speaking at an event in Thiruvannamalai today, MK Stalin said,
"We should all be ready for another anti-Hindi agitation just like what happened in 1937. Students, youngsters, and Tamil people should participate in this protest against Hindi imposition as this issue is about culture and language."
Moreover, the leader said that DMK will bring together all non-Hindi speaking States to join the protest.
Karnataka Congress Legislature Party (CLP) chief Siddaramaiah, on Sunday, termed Shah a 'wicked insider in a joint family'. He claimed that Amit Shah was bent in breaking the unity of the nation. He goes on to say that the 'homewrecker needs to be taught a lesson'. Siddaramaiah, like many political leaders, has maintained that India's diversity is the key to its unity. Siddaramaiah also added that each Indian state explains its own culture and practice.
The Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan has expressed his disagreement on Shah’s statement, claiming it was 'absurd'. After a series of criticisms from opposition parties, the Kerala CM has taken to Twitter to condemn Shah about his 'Hindi Diwas' remark.
'Nation needs to have One Language': Amit Shah
Home Minister Amit Shah, on the occasion of Hindi Diwas, pitched the idea of ‘One Nation, One Language’ during his speech and went ahead to say that diversity of languages and dialects is the strength of our Nation. He further pushed for the need for one language so that foreign languages don't find a place in the Nation. He said, "This is why our freedom fighters envisioned Hindi as 'Raj Bhasha'." This statement led to many political parties and its leaders taking a hit at the Home Minister.
Updated 20:34 IST, September 16th 2019