Bilkis Bano. | Photo credit: File photo
Karnataka could engage in a legal battle against the Kerala government over the mandate of Malayalam in all educational institutions. After Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar gave his nod to the Malayalam Bhasha Bill last week, the Karnataka State Border Area Development Authority (KSBADA) is gearing up to take part in a case to be filed in the Kerala High Court against the bill, which it claims would harm the interests of the Kannada-speaking Kasaragod-based language district.
The passage of the Malayalam Bhasha Bill in the Kerala legislature drew a strong reaction from Karnataka, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah – in a letter to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan – asserting Karnataka’s right to protect the interests of Kannadigas in Kerala.
Legal consultation
Government sources said KSBADA officials have been in consultation with law and parliamentary affairs officials and based on their advice, the body is likely to be a party to a case to be filed in the Kerala High Court by aggrieved Kannada speakers/Kannada organisations. “The case can be filed after the gazette notification. Once the application is filed in the Kerala High Court, there is an option to ask the court to transfer the case to a high court outside Kerala as well,” sources aware of the development told The Hindu.
The provisions of the law mandating Malayalam as a compulsory first language up to class 10 across Kerala as “unconstitutional”, the Karnataka government urged the governor not to give assent on the grounds that the rights of linguistic minorities protected under Articles 350A and 350B would be violated.
Pointing to what it called “contradictions” in the provisions of the Act, the Karnataka government sought an express exemption for Kannada-speaking regions in Kerala. While Clause 6(1) makes Malayalam the compulsory first language in all government and aided schools in Kerala up to Class 10, Clause 7(2) allows students whose mother tongue is any language other than Malayalam to study in the language of their choice, sources said.
KM Ballakuraya, president of the Kasaragod-based Karnataka Sangha, said a meeting of Kannada organizations has been called on Tuesday (March 10) to decide on legal action. “We have decided to approach the High Court. However, we are seeking advice on whether the case should be filed through a writ petition or a public interest litigation and whether the case should be filed by a group of parents or organizations,” he added. Since January, Kannada organizations in Kasaragod have been pushing for the withdrawal of the bill.
In the Council
Meanwhile, in the Legislative Council, Congress member Bilkis Bano on Monday (March 9) urged the state government to persuade the Kerala government to bring an amendment to the legislation to keep Kasaragod district out of its purview.
She also suggested that the two states could jointly set up a high-level committee to review the legislation. “Those living in the border district are worried about the provisions of the legislation. The Karnataka government should intervene,” she said.
Published – 9 March 2026 20:08 IST
