Bengaluru: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expressed serious concerns over the Kerala government’s proposed Malayalam Language Bill 2025, warning that it could adversely affect Kannada-medium school children in Karnataka’s border regions, particularly Kasaragod and Manjeshwar. Escalating the political attack, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R. Ashoka questioned why Congress leaders, who often speak out on issues beyond state boundaries, have remained silent on the concerns of Kannadigas living in Kerala.
Taking to the social media platform X, LoP R. Ashoka directly targeted Congress general secretary KC Venugopal and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, accusing them of selective outrage and political double standards. He questioned why Congress leaders, who frequently raise humanitarian and regional issues, have failed to speak up for Kannada-speaking students facing what he described as “language imposition” under the proposed Kerala legislation.
ಕೇರಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಆನೆ ತುಳಿತಕ್ಕೆ ಒಳಗಾಗಿ ಸತ್ತರೂ, ವಯನಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಕೃತಿ ವಿಕೋಪ ಉಂಟಾದರೂ, ಕೇರಳಿಗರ ಪರವಾಗಿ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಮೇಲೆ ಸವಾರಿ ಮಾಡುವ ಸಂಸದೆ @priyankagandhi ಅವರು, ಕೇರಳದ ಕನ್ನಡ ಮಾಧ್ಯಮ ಶಾಲೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ 1 ರಿಂದ 10 ನೇ ತರಗತಿಯವರೆಗೆ ಮಲಯಾಳಂ ಅನ್ನು ಪ್ರಥಮ ಭಾಷೆಯಾಗಿ ಕಡ್ಡಾಯಗೊಳಿಸುವ ಕೇರಳ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಮಲಯಾಳಂ ಭಾಷಾ ಮಸೂದೆ… pic.twitter.com/saItkUOXPj
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) January 10, 2026
The Malayalam Language Bill 2025, proposes making Malayalam the compulsory first language across Kerala. BJP leaders argue that if implemented, the bill would effectively force Kannada-medium schools in Kasaragod and Manjeshwar to adopt Malayalam as the primary language from Classes 1 to 10, undermining the linguistic rights of Kannada-speaking minorities in the region.
R. Ashoka further questioned whether Priyanka Gandhi, who has previously taken strong positions on issues affecting Kerala, would now stand with Kannadigas. “When deaths occur due to elephant attacks in Kerala or when natural disasters strike Wayanad, Priyanka Gandhi is quick to attack the Karnataka government. Will she now raise her voice against the Kerala government’s Malayalam Language Bill 2025 and stand with Kannada-medium school children?” he asked.
He further pointed to the Bandipur night traffic ban issue, alleging that Karnataka Congress leaders had earlier shown undue concern for Kerala’s interests. “The same concern Karnataka Congress leaders showed for Kerala during the Bandipur night traffic ban—will they now show that concern for Kannadigas?” R. Ashoka questioned, suggesting that the party’s priorities were skewed against Karnataka’s linguistic and cultural interests.
In a sharp attack on KC Venugopal, R. Ashoka accused the Congress leader of displaying compassion for illegal immigrants while ignoring the plight of Kannadigas in Kasaragod. “When illegal immigrants from Bangladesh or Rohingyas encroach upon Karnataka land, KC Venugopal speaks of humanity and providing them homes. Does his heart not beat for Kannadigas of Kasaragod now?” R. Ashoka asked in his post.
He further alleged that the Congress party’s “Kerala lobby” was repeatedly undermining Karnataka’s self-respect and testing the patience of Kannadigas. R. Ashoka warned that the repeated sacrifice of Karnataka’s interests for political gain or personal agendas would not go unanswered. “The day is not far when Kannadigas will teach the Karnataka Congress party a fitting lesson for repeatedly compromising Karnataka’s and Kannadigas’ interests”, he stated.
Educational experts and language activists have echoed similar concerns, arguing that compulsory language policies could disrupt existing education systems in border regions, where schools have traditionally catered to linguistic minorities. Parents in Kasaragod and Manjeshwar have also expressed apprehension that their children may be forced to study in a language unfamiliar to them, potentially affecting learning outcomes.
