“Every Indian language is the mother tongue and also the national language. No single language can be our mother tongue, says our prime minister. So, Kannada is both our mother tongue and the national language,” said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, while addressing the 67th Kannada Rajyothsava celebrations held in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
Batting for the primacy of Kannada amid allegations of Hindi imposition by the BJP government, Bommai said his government would be the first to provide legal framework for the enforcement of Kannada in all spheres of life in Karnataka.
"We have already drafted a bill (Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Bill, 2022) for effective implementation of Kannada language in the state. The bill has been tabled in the Legislature and we will be securing the approval of both Houses in the upcoming Legislature session in December. We want public debate on the proposed law and the government is open to good suggestions. While the making of a law is just one stage, the language will truly flourish when we embrace it as a way of life," said Bommai.
Further, the chief minister said that Kannada should not remain only a language but become a way of life. "Each one of us should uphold the Kannada pride and identity. Kannada is our breath, prosperity and everything", he added.
Hailing the Kannada ethos, Bommai reminded that Karnataka had the highest number of Jnanpith awardees and stalwarts who led a life of high morals and values. "In the age of globalisation, privatisation and liberalisation, which is diminishing the inner conscience, there is a need for us to uphold our values. Kannadigas are conscientious people who are largehearted and embrace everyone. We must resolve to build a future with better education, health, employment, technology, science and basic infrastructure," urged Bommai.
The chief minister also announced that the upcoming global investors' meet in the state would attract an estimated investment of Rs 7 lakh crore which would also create around three lakh jobs.
