<div dir="ltr"><h1 class=""><br></h1>· <span style="padding:0px 6px 0px 0px"><a href="https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/siddalingaiah-bats-for-kannada-medium-education/article6845223.ece&ct=ga&cd=CAEYACoSNzY1MTI0Mjg2NjUxMDA0MDYyMhplODhiNGUxZmNmZDIxYzQ5OmNvbTplbjpVUw&usg=AFQjCNG9VnTRfTQQt7SA-RB-mgzrzOM8nA" style="color:rgb(66,127,237);display:inline;text-decoration:none;font-size:16px;line-height:20px" target="_blank">Siddalingaiah bats for Kannada medium education</a></span><div class=""> </div>
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<img src="http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/02296/_DSC0328_2296954f.jpg" class="" alt="Hassan district in-charge minister Dr.H.C.Mahadevappa visits book stalls set up as part of Sahitya Sammelana at Shravanbelgola. Photo: Prakash Hassan" title="Hassan district in-charge minister Dr.H.C.Mahadevappa visits book stalls set up as part of Sahitya Sammelana at Shravanbelgola. Photo: Prakash Hassan" height="427" width="636"> </div>
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Hassan district in-charge minister Dr.H.C.Mahadevappa visits book stalls
set up as part of Sahitya Sammelana at Shravanbelgola. Photo: Prakash
Hassan
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Stressing the need for a non-violent massive movement for sustenance of
Kannada, Dr. Siddalingaiah, poet and president of 81st Akhila Bharatha
Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, called upon the public to join the movement
and be prepared for any sacrifice to succeed. Karnataka Government
should appeal the Centre for suitable amendments to facilitate primary
schooling in all languages of the eighth schedule of the constitution,
he said in his speech, delivered at the inauguration of the Sammelana.
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The Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the issue of medium of instruction
had affected all regional languages. For the survival of these
languages, the Centre should bring in a national language policy. Chief
Minister of Karnataka should make efforts to create consensus among
other states in this regard.
</p>
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“As these efforts may take a long time, till then, State Government
should have its own state language policy on the basis of the Right to
Education Act. The concept of mother tongue in the Section 29(2) F of
the Act should be redefined as mother tongue or state language”, Dr.
Siddalingaiah said. Further, he remarked if these things were
implemented the uniform education the division of schools as rich and
poor would end. “Son of a minister, son of a crorepathi son of a daily
wage worker, a pourakarmika or a Prime Minister will learn under one
roof”, the poet said.
</p>
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<b>Gram Panchayat schools</b>
</p>
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Referring to decline in number of government schools in the state, he
said in the year 2013-14 the number of government primary schools came
down by 159 compared to the previous year. However, in the same year the
number of private schools increased by 514. More than 24,000 posts of
teachers had remained vacant, prompting increase in single-teacher
schools. As a result many parents are admitting their children to
private schools. He said all government schools should be provided with
basic necessities and they should be named as Gram Panchayat Public
Schools. English should be taught as a language from the first standard
effectively.
</p>
<p class="">
Responding to the recent controversy over division of Karnataka state,
Dr. Siddalingaiah said division of the state was not solution to the
problems faced by under developed regions of the state. The State
Government should exhibit commitment to improve backward areas as per
the recommendations of the Dr. D.M. Nanjundappa on regional imbalance.
</p>
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<b>Kannada year</b>
</p>
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Dr. Siddalingaiah urged the State Government to declare year 2015 as
Kannada Year to mark the centenary celebrations of Kannada Sahitya
Parishat. Through the year, all institutions, including private and
government, should dedicate one day in a week to celebrate Kannada day.
On this day seminars and discussions related to art and culture of
Karnataka could be organised, he added.
</p>
<p class="">
<b>Anti-Superstition Bill</b>
</p>
<p class="">
Dr. Siddalingaiah has demanded an effective anti-superstition bill to
put an end to harassment of innocents in the name of blind beliefs or
superstition. Women were being made to stay out of their houses during
their menstruation period in many villages. Rolling over plantain leaves
with left-over food is neither a Dharma nor a healthy practice, he
said. “I don’t oppose any belief or a practice which enhances man’s
morale or confidence. But oppose those hurts human dignity”, he said. </p>
<p class="">
Expressing concern over instances of untouchability, Dr. Siddalingaiah
said he would wish to see children of all castes and communities sitting
together for lunch, prepared by a Dalit woman in schools. “People of
upper castes should also join hands with Dalits to eliminate the
practice of untouchability”, he said.
</p>
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