‘Centre showing stepmotherly attitude towards Karnataka’: CM Siddaramaiah on Rajyotsava

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday accused the central government of showing a “stepmotherly attitude” towards the state, alleging that it was doing injustice to Karnataka while giving grants to Hindi-speaking states.

In his speech on the occasion of the 70th Karnataka Rajyotsava (Karnataka Formation Day), CM Siddaramaiah also alleged that the Centre is imposing Hindi and ignoring the country’s linguistic diversity. “The central government is showing stepmotherly attitude towards the state of Karnataka. It is giving grants to Hindi-speaking states, but is doing injustice to Karnataka. It is imposing Hindi, ignoring the various languages of the country”, he said.

The CM earlier announced plans to build a world-class Film City in Mysuru, which will provide a boost to the state’s film industry. CM Siddaramaiah expressed his aspiration to produce high-quality Kannada films that incorporate human values and showcase the state’s culture on a global platform.

“Karnataka itself is a world. All opportunities can be created here. For this purpose, we are building a world-class, top-quality Film City in Mysuru. By utilising the opportunities of technology to make the best films, it will be good for society. The film industry will also see progress. Our aspiration is that Kannada films, which incorporate human values, should be produced here at world-class quality,” he said.

The CM said that to promote the Kannada language, the government is setting up Kannada schools in border areas and organising cultural programmes to instil love for the language in children. Through the Karnataka Border Development Authority, the government is working to develop these schools and promote cultural activities to “instil love for the Kannada language in children”.

“By developing Kannada schools in the border areas of Karnataka, emphasis is being placed on the development of the Kannada language. In this regard, through the Karnataka Border Development Authority, cultural programmes are being organised in Kannada schools in the border areas to instil love for the Kannada language in children”, CM Siddaramaiah said.

#WATCH | Bengaluru | On 70th Karnataka Rajyotsava, state Dy CM DK Shivakumar says, “We are receiving all sections of the society in Karnataka, because they look at best resources, good rivers and employment opportunities… The biggest strength of Karnataka is our culture that we… pic.twitter.com/wMaPucf46K

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Earlier, CM Siddaramaiah marked Rajyotsava by calling on the people to embrace the use of Kannada language. “Karnataka Rajyotsava is not just a festival. It is a sacred day that unites Kannadigas, who are spread across various states, through the umbilical cord of Kannada. On this day, let us proudly remember the labour, sacrifices, and offerings of millions of Kannada enthusiasts who selflessly toiled to make the dream of such a Kannada state a reality”.

“All those who have settled here and built their lives for reasons such as education, employment, and others, coming from other states and foreign countries, are Kannadigas, they are one of us. Let us all — you and we together — embrace the resolve on this day to use and nurture Kannada. May the language of the land become the language of the heart, may the sprout of Kannada burst forth in everyone’s chest. Greetings of Karnataka Rajyotsava to our fellow countrymen”, he said.

“Our aspiration is that those born and raised in Karnataka soil, and those who come from other states and build their lives here, should conduct themselves in the Kannada language. In this regard, we have issued an order that all offices across the state, shops – establishments, and nameplates of various commercial enterprises must mandatorily use 60 per cent Kannada. Let us respect other languages. Let us love the language of the land, Kannada”, he added. (ANI)