The 84th Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana came to an end here on Sunday with the adoption of a unanimous resolution opposing the government’s move to introduce English as the medium of instruction in 1,000 government primary schools from 2019–20 and demanding withdrawal of the notification issued in this regard.
It was also unanimously resolved to demand implementation of the revised recommendations of Sarojini Mahishi committee’s report on providing employment opportunities to Kannadigas in the private sector. A resolution was passed to urge the government to honour the Kannada Sahitya Parishat’s decision on standardisation of the Naada Geethe (State anthem) of 150 seconds duration.
Over 20 topics
For the past three days, the sammelana essentially reflected on issues pertaining to land, language, and culture. Of the over 20 issues that were discussed on various podiums, it was the government’s move to introduce English as the medium of instruction in 1,000 government schools from the next academic year that occupied the centre stage.
According to parishat president Manu Baligar, the very essence of the address of president of the sammelan Chandrashekar Kambar was to demand a common education policy (Samaana Shikshana Neeti). Dr. Kambar favoured Kannada as the medium of instruction, while favouring teaching English as a language from pre-primary level, and called for strengthening and upgrading government schools in Karnataka.
Refusing to take a stand on the issue, BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa expressed his concern over the benefit of English reaching only the rich and urban population, while favouring Kannada as the medium of instruction.