Bengaluru/Mysuru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has clarified that Hindi will not be made compulsory as a third language in the state, amid ongoing debates over language policy.
Speaking to the media in Mysuru, the Chief Minister stated that the government has not introduced any “two-language policy” as being speculated. Instead, the decision taken is only to ensure that Hindi is not made mandatory as a third language subject in schools.
He explained that earlier, Hindi carried around 100 marks within a broader evaluation structure of 625 marks, making it effectively compulsory. The government has now decided to remove this compulsion, allowing students the freedom to choose.
Addressing opposition from some private educational institutions, Siddaramaiah said that differences of opinion are natural. “There will be those who oppose and those who welcome the decision. It is not possible to achieve 100% consensus on any policy,” he remarked.
Responding to concerns about the increasing prominence of Hindi, the Chief Minister clarified that the government is not against learning Hindi. However, he emphasised that making it compulsory for examinations is not appropriate.
Drawing from his own experience, Siddaramaiah noted that Hindi was not compulsory during his student days either. “We studied without it being mandatory,” he said, reinforcing the government’s stand on flexibility in language learning.
The statement is likely to intensify the ongoing debate over language policy in Karnataka, particularly around the role of Hindi in the education system.
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