-Reshma Ravishanker

Nearly two months after the commencement of classes, undergraduate colleges in limbo over the mandatory Kannada debate have either adjourned language classes or resorted to the previous government order, leaving students perplexed.

With an impending stance from the central government over the mandatory introduction of Kannada for all students after the Karnataka High Court sought to know the centre’s stand in a hearing scheduled on November 30, colleges are uncertain on which language is to be taught to students. While some have gone by the legally debated government order, the others have adjourned language classes.

Karnataka enrolled undergraduate students under the newly implemented NEP 2020 scheme starting this academic year. In a government order on August 7, the state had mandated all students in UG colleges to study Kannada as one of the languages during all the years; a relaxation made for non-domicile students by prescribing them a basic Kannada textbook. Following representations, a further relaxation said that the mandate to learn local language was imposed only in one of the semesters during the first year of degree.  

“There is no clarity on language yet and a dilemma exists. Most colleges commenced classes from October 12 and students are making representations to start language classes of their choice. Non-domicile students are seeking that Hindi be taught and changed later if need be. However, colleges will find it challenging to categorize their admissions later if the language switch is made. Also, what happens if Kannada is made mandatory? Lecturers will have to re-do the syllabus from the start again for students who opt for other languages?” questioned B G Bhaskar, president of Federation of University and College Teachers Association of Karnataka.

Dr Sridhar Bhat, associate professor, Sanskrit, SDM College, Ujire said that as the college is going by the government order at present, there is a binding for all students to attend Kannada classes. “Sanskrit and Hindi departments have textbooks ready and we have commenced a bridge course for students. The other language that has been opted for is English. Although a lot of students are not interested in taking Kannada as the second language, they are forced to sit through the classes,” he said.

Meanwhile, the HOD of a Hindi department in another Bengaluru college said, “We have not even commenced classes although it is a month. Some students are attending the basic Kannada class because there is no clarity. However, students might find it challenging if there is a further delay because completion of syllabus would not be possible.” 

Also read: Karnataka High Court: Kannada cannot be mandatory for degree students