Karnatak high court pulls up govt over delay in responseto PIL on mandatory Kannada teaching | Bengaluru News
Bengaluru: The high court Friday granted the govt an extended three-week deadline to respond to a PIL challenging the mandatory teaching of Kannada in all schools, including those affiliated to CBSE and CISCE.A division bench expressed concern over the govt’s delay of more than two years in filing its objections. The bench also observed that interim relief could be considered if the govt continues to remain inactive.The PIL was filed in 2023 by C Somashekar and 19 other parents whose children were enrolled in CBSE and CISCE schools. The petition challenges Section 3 of Karnataka Language Learning Act, 2015, Rule 3 of Karnataka Language Learning Rules, 2017, and Rule 6(2) of Karnataka Educational Institutions Rules, 2022.According to the petitioners, these provisions impose conflicting obligations: While the Language Learning Act and Rules mandate Kannada as either the first or second language, the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) Rules require it as the second or third language. They argue that this ambiguity creates undue pressure on schools and confusion for students.The petitioners pointed out that a 2017 amendment to Karnataka Education Act, 1983 had previously excluded CBSE and CISCE institutions from such mandates, indicating the state’s earlier stance to exempt national boards.The court noted the urgency of addressing the issue, especially with academic sessions under way, and directed the govt to file its objections within three weeks.
