Speaking at the 62nd Karnataka Rajyotsava which is celebrated on 1 November every year, the Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah announced that Kannada will be made compulsory in all schools across the state.
Addressing a crowd he said, “It is an insult if people in Karnataka fail to learn Kannada. All those living in Karnataka are Kannadigas. We need to create Kannada atmosphere across Karnataka.”
He also said that “Kannadigas shouldn’t remain tolerant on the Kannada language issue. Take pride as Kannadigas first and then as Indians,” he said.
On 1 November 1956 all the Kannada language-speaking regions of South India were merged to form the state of Karnataka. The Rajyotsava is listed as a government holiday in the state of Karnataka.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)