The News about Karnataka High Court On Compulsory Kannada Rule
The High Court of Karnataka has stayed the implementation of the State Government’s two communications, issued in August- Septemberlastyear citing the National EducationPolicy-2020, making Kannada’ a compulsory language for undergraduate courses such as BA, BSc, BCom, etc. frømThe Newy eThe High Court of Karnataka has stayed implementation of the State Government’s two communications, issued in August- Septemberlastyear citing the National8 EducationPolicy-2020, making Kannada’ a compulsory language for undergraduate courses such as BA, BSc, BCom, etc. frøm the 2021 -22 academic year.
Background
The Higher Education Department of Karnataka, on August 7, 2021, notified a Government Order issuing guidelines to universities and affiliated colleges for implementing the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.
As per the guidelines, students joining the undergraduate courses in Karnataka from the academic year 2021-22 were required to study Kannada as a compulsory language among the two languages mandated for the first four semesters.
In another Government Order, issued on September 15, 2021, the department modified the guidelines stating that only functional Kannada is to be taught to students from outside Karnataka or from foreign countries or for those who have not studied Kannada at any level up to 10- 2.
The Orders challenged
Samskrita Bharati (Karnataka) Trust, a private institution in Sep 2021, moved to the High Court questioning the legality of making Kannada a compulsory subject in the guise of implementing NEP 2020.
Apart from contending that making Kannada a compulsory language to be studied in UG courses violates various fundamental rights of the students and the teaching community, the litigants mainly argued before the High Court that making the study of a language mandatory is contrary to the very purpose of NEP – 2020, which purports to offer a choice-based system to promote inclusivity.
NEP 2020
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 overview
Let’s understand National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in detail. Following are the key principles of NEP 2020
• respect for Diversity & Local Context – In all curículum, pedagogy, and policy
• Equity & Inclusion – As the cornerstone of all educational decisions • Community Participation – Encouragement and facilitation of philanthropic, private, and community participation.
• Use of Technology- In teaching and learning, removing language barriers, for Divyang students, and in educational planning and management.
• Emphasize Conceptual Understanding – Rather than rote learning and learning-for-exams
• Unique Capabilities – Recognizing, and identifying them in each student.
• Critical thinking and Creativity – To encourage logical decision-making and innovation
• Continuous Review – Based on sustained research and regular assessment by educational experts.
The HC Order
Inítially, the High Court on December 16, 2021, had directed that the students who have already chosen the Kannada language should do so, but all such students who do not wish to take The Kannada language shall not be compelled to pursue it till further orders.
The court had also directed the government of Karnataka to not insist on Kannada as a compulsory language.
The High Court had asked the Central government to make its stand clear on whether NEP-2020. The Central government has clarified to the court that “there is no mention of any compulsory language in NEP-2020.”
– The Additional Solicitor General of India made it clear to the court that the regional language cannot be made a compulsory subject in the implementation of the NEP.
The HC Order -Live Law – High Court Stays Karnataka Govt’s Order-Making Kannada Compulsory Subject In Degree Courses
The Karnataka high court has said that it would hear further arguments from both sides in July 2022 on the question of whether Kannada can be made a compulsory subject in higher studies (undergraduate) on the pretext of implementing the National Education Policy, 2020.
Language Issue in India – People from different states should speak in Hindi, not English said Amit Shah. Shah, however, clarified that Hindi should be accepted as an alternative to English and not the local language. He also suggested that Hindi should be made more flexible by accepting words from other local languages.
