Kannada language is compulsory from Class I to V: Karnataka Government

Bengaluru, Jan 30: State Government today decided to amend the Karnataka Compulsory Primary Education Act, 2012 to impart primary education in Kannada in the state and strengthen its case before the Supreme Court where a related case is pending.

"We have decided to amend the present act to impart primary education in Kannada. The proposed amendment will strengthen the state's case when the apex court takes up the curative petition," Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra told reporters during a cabinet briefing.

The Supreme Court on May 6 last had held that the government cannot impose mother tongue on linguistic minority for imparting primary education. The cabinet, Jayachandra said, decided to incorporate the words "Mother Tongue Kannada" by amending section 19(2) of the Act, which guarantees compulsory primary education for children from class I to V.

A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice R M Lodha had passed the order on petitions challenging two Karnataka government orders of 1994 making mother tongue or regional language compulsory for imparting education from class I to IV.

Jayachandra also said the cabinet has decided to defer its decision on seeking sanction of the Governor for prosecution of Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) members allegedly involved in irregularities in selection of candidates for KAS Probationary Officers.

The cabinet has now sought more details from the Law department on the issue and pros and cons of a decision to prosecute the alleged members, Jayachandra said.

PTI