Taking strong exception to schools that have taken permission as Kannada medium schools but imparting education in English, ‘sarvadhyaksha’ of 17th Dharwad Zilla Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, veteran librarian, and writer S.R. Gunjal has demanded punitive action against such schools.
Delivering the speech of the ‘sarvadhyaksha’ (president) during the inauguration of the sammelana at Karnatak Vidyavardhaka Sangha in Dharwad on Monday, Mr. Gunjal urged the government to immediately file criminal cases against the management boards of 1,416 such schools.
While the question of the medium of instruction at the primary level was still being debated, many schools were violating government regulations for financial gain, he said.
Mr. Gunjal said that the High Court’s verdict against education in the mother tongue had undermined the essence of primary education in Karnataka. “The concern that English poses a threat to Kannada at the primary level is not a mere illusion but a reality. Learning English is not a crime; in fact, it is essential. However, learning through Kannada or one’s mother tongue until the fourth grade strengthens the foundation of Kannada language and culture,” he said.
Emphasising the need for implementing the D.M. Nanjundappa Committee report, he also stressed the need for immediate implementation of the recommendations of the Baragur Ramachandrappa-led committee on education and administration.
Mr. Gunjal also demanded implementation of Ashok Chandargi’s report on improving border schools without any further delay.
Lamenting factionalism among writers, he said they should rise above such divisions and foster relationships beyond selfish interests and prejudices.
He said that although the nation appeared prosperous owing to advancements in science and technology, human values had deteriorated. The greed for power and money had left people devoid of humanity. Art, language, and literature were being sidelined, resulting in decline in human sensibilities. In this context, writers must reflect on these issues, Mr. Gunjal said.
Earlier, the literary event saw a grand beginning. Writer Mrutyunjaya Rumale said that literature spoke the truth, which often made governments fearful.
“Poets and writers should balance pride and humility when advocating for truth and values. This balance is crucial today, but its absence is becoming increasingly evident,” he said.
N.H. Konaraddi, MLA, elaborated on how literature had always thrived in Dharwad and said that now that Dharwad was becoming a separate municipal corporation, it should also be made the second ‘capital’ of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat, he said.
Speaking on the threats to regional languages in the era of globalisation, writer Shyam Sundar Bidarkundi said that during the time of royal dynasties, kings leaned towards Sanskrit, leading to administration being conducted entirely in Sanskrit. In the 21st century, when languages were facing threat of extinction, Kannada had survived and was thriving, he said.
Speaking on the topic of language, communication, learning, and the medium of instruction, writer Venkatesh Machakanur emphasised that constitutional amendments were necessary to protect indigenous languages.
Writer Dushyant Nadagouda stated that intellectual development and language had grown together and stresed the importance of nurturing intellectual thought, language, and script.
Presiding over the session, president of Dharwad Zilla Sahitya Parishat Lingaraj Angadi said that collective cooperation was key to the success of literary events.
Earlier, Mr. Gunjal was was taken to the venue in a grand procession. Hundreds of Kannada enthusiasts took part in the procession with various folk troupes and covered the thoroughfares of the city before reaching the venue.
