'Hindi Isn't National Language': Siddaramaiah Vows to Champion Kannada Amid Escalating Language Row

 

Bengaluru, December 29, 2025 

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reignited the state's fierce linguistic pride on Monday, declaring that Hindi is not India's national language and pledging unwavering support for Kannada's sovereignty. Speaking at a public programme in Bengaluru, the Congress leader accused the BJP-led central government of adopting a "stepmotherly attitude" toward the southern state, vowing to fiercely defend Kannada in matters of language, land, water, borders, and employment. The remarks, coming amid a year-long debate over alleged Hindi imposition, underscore deepening regional fissures over cultural identity and resource allocation, with Siddaramaiah urging Kannadigas to unite against perceived neglect from New Delhi.

Siddaramaiah's address was a clarion call for linguistic equity, rooted in constitutional realities. "I do not oppose Hindi. But Hindi is not our national language," he asserted, emphasizing that India's Constitution recognizes no single national language but promotes Hindi as one of the official languages alongside English, with equal status for regional tongues like Kannada. He positioned his government as a bulwark for Kannadigas' rights, stating, "We will firmly stand for Kannada and the rights of Kannadigas. Kannada is a sovereign language."

Drawing on history, the CM recalled the 1956 States Reorganisation Act, which redrew India's map along linguistic lines, and the 1973 renaming of the state from Mysore to Karnataka under Congress leader Devaraj Urs—a milestone his administration commemorated with statewide celebrations earlier this year. He lambasted the BJP for ignoring the 50th anniversary of this renaming, framing it as emblematic of their indifference to regional heritage. "The government will not compromise on matters related to Kannada language, land, water, borders, and employment for Kannadigas," Siddaramaiah declared, promising to "always stand at the forefront in protecting Kannada."

Economic grievances amplified his rhetoric. Karnataka, he noted, contributes nearly ₹4.5 lakh crore in taxes annually to the Union coffers but receives back just 14 paise per rupee—a stark disparity that has fueled protests over fiscal federalism. The state leads India in per capita income, credited to robust welfare and development initiatives, yet faces delays on critical projects like the Mahadayi river interlinking (pending central environmental clearance) and the Krishna Phase III water allocation (awaiting gazette notification). "Kannadigas must condemn this stepmotherly attitude of the central government," he urged, vowing to persistently raise these issues in national forums.

Siddaramaiah's outburst is the latest salvo in a protracted 2025 language war that has gripped Karnataka. Since November, the CM has repeatedly slammed the Modi government for sidelining Kannada while funneling grants exclusively to Hindi and Sanskrit promotion. In early November, he accused New Delhi of "imposing Hindi" in education and administration, arguing that the dominance of Hindi and English in schools is "weakening children's talent" and causing them to "fall behind" in mother-tongue proficiency.

The controversy traces back to March 2025, when the Kannada Development Authority (KDA) petitioned Siddaramaiah to enforce a two-language policy—Kannada and English—in state schools, scrapping the optional third language (often Hindi). Protests erupted in Bengaluru and border districts, with activists vandalizing Hindi signboards and demanding mandatory Kannada signage for businesses—a policy the state government later mandated for commercial establishments. Critics, including pro-Kannada outfits like Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, have decried central initiatives like the National Education Policy's three-language formula as a veiled push for Hindi hegemony, echoing sentiments from Tamil Nadu and other non-Hindi states.

Siddaramaiah's government has responded with affirmative actions: allocating funds for Kannada literature, digitizing classical texts, and integrating regional language education in curricula. Yet, tensions persist, with border disputes—such as Maharashtra's claims on Belagavi—intertwining linguistic and territorial anxieties.

The CM's vow drew swift applause from allies and regional advocates but predictably irked the BJP. Congress MP D.K. Suresh, Siddaramaiah's brother, amplified the message on social media, questioning southern states' fiscal contributions amid "Hindi-first" policies and even floating the idea of a separate Dravidian nation—a provocative stance that drew FIRs but resonated with separatist undercurrents. Pro-Kannada groups hailed the remarks as a "timely assertion of federalism," with KDA chairman Purushottam Bilimale calling for nationwide adoption of mother-tongue education to preserve cultural diversity.

BJP leaders countered sharply. Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra accused Siddaramaiah of "stoking division for vote-bank politics," insisting that Hindi promotion fosters national unity without infringing on regional languages. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a November statement, defended the Centre's multilingual approach, noting ₹500 crore allocated for classical languages including Kannada, and dismissed imposition claims as "baseless propaganda." Social media erupted, with #SaveKannada trending alongside #OneNationOneLanguage debates, amassing over 50,000 posts in hours.

As 2025 draws to a close, Siddaramaiah's pledge signals no let-up in Karnataka's resistance to perceived cultural encroachment. With the 2028 assembly elections looming, language has emerged as a potent Congress rallying cry, potentially galvanizing youth and diaspora voters. Analysts warn that unresolved grievances—fiscal imbalances, water disputes, and linguistic slights—could exacerbate North-South divides, testing the BJP's "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" mantra.