'Kannada still principal language of Karnataka, will never compromise on its value': Yediyurappa

Chief Minister of Karnataka BS Yediyurappa on Monday quipped in on the debate around 'Hindi imposition', adding his two cents to the language controversy. Yediyurappa said that all official languages in the country are equal, however, Kannada continues to be the principal language in the state of Karnataka and its importance will not be compromised upon.

"All official languages in our country are equal," Yediyurappa wrote from the CM of Karnataka official Twitter handle, "However, as far as Karnataka is concerned, #Kannada is the principal language." He added, "We will never compromise its importance and are committed to promote Kannada and our state's culture."

All official languages in our country are equal. However, as far as Karnataka is concerned, #Kannada is the principal language. We will never compromise its importance and are committed to promote Kannada and our state's culture.

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) September 16, 2019

The Chief Minister's comment comes off as important in the backdrop of a political firestorm that emerged after Union Home Minister Amit Shah's call to culturally unify India with Hindi as its national language on Saturday. Shah's speech on the occasion of Hindi Diwas triggered several opposition leaders, leading to veteran politicians primarily from southern India training their guns at him and asking him to reconsider his appeal as it "poses a danger to national unity".

The state of Karnataka, too, saw its fair share of the controversy as Opposition was left discontent when the Kannada language was left out from banking selection examinations in the state.

A recent advertisement for the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) exams in the state had said the next Common Recruitment Process for selection of personnel for clerical cadre posts will be held only in Hindi and English. Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had earlier let know his stance on the demand to write the banking exams in Kannada, which had let to a contest with BJP MP from Bangalore South Tejasvi Surya.

The veteran Karnataka Congress leader had taken up this issue in his tweet, accusing the central government of ‘cheating’ the people of Karnataka and hinting that the move was a ‘conspiracy’ of the central government to prevent non-Hindi speaking people in the state from getting bank jobs.

Central govt has again cheated the ppl of Ktaka. They are taking the identity of Kannada for a ride. Does the promise of @nsitharaman & @tejasvi_Surya mean nothing?

Their lack of knowledge & breach of trust is a spectacle for moral spinelessness & political ineptitude.#IBPSmosa pic.twitter.com/1dBPE5L3xQ

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) September 13, 2019

Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan, too, had on Sunday extended his thoughts on the language controversy, saying that no Indian should feel alienated because of language since India's strength is its ability to embrace diversity.

It is yet to be seen how the Opposition and the central BJP leadership reacts to Yediyurappa's comment today, as the nation waits and watches the language row unfold.