Kerala Assembly Passes Malayalam Language Bill 2025 Amid Opposition from Karnataka
The Kerala Assembly passed the Malayalam Language Bill, 2025, aiming to make Malayalam the official language for all administrative, judicial, and educational purposes in the state. The Bill proposes Malayalam as the first language in schools and its use in sectors from IT to the judiciary. However, the Karnataka government opposes the Bill, claiming it violates the rights of linguistic minorities, specifically Tamil and Kannada speakers in border districts like Kasaragod. Kerala maintains the Bill includes protections for these minorities, allowing correspondence in their mother tongues in notified areas and exempting certain students from examinations.
Key Points
- The Bill mandates Malayalam as the first language in all government and aided schools up to Class 10.
- It seeks to replace the existing Official Languages Act of 1963 to advance the enrichment of the language.
- Karnataka argues the Bill is unconstitutional and violates the rights of Kannada-speaking linguistic minorities.
- Provisions exist for students from other states or foreign countries to be exempt from Malayalam examinations in higher classes.
Exam Facts
- Malayalam Language Bill, 2025
- Official Languages Act, 1963
- Article 347 of the Constitution (special provisions for language spoken by a section of the population)
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