Malayalam Language Bill 2025 

Why in News ?

• Kerala government tabled and passed the Malayalam Language Bill, 2025 in the Kerala Legislative Assembly on 6 October 2025.
• Bill has been passed after Subject Committee scrutiny and awaits Governor’s assent.
• Karnataka government has opposed the Bill, calling it unconstitutional and harmful to Kannada-speaking linguistic minorities, especially in Kasaragod district.

Relevance

• GS II – Polity & Governance
  • Official language policy; Centre–State relations.
  • Linguistic minorities’ rights (Articles 29–30, 345–347).
  • Role of Governor; federal accommodation in border regions.

What Does the Malayalam Language Bill, 2025 Entail?

Core Provisions

• Malayalam formally adopted as the official language of Kerala.
  • Currently: Malayalam + English recognised.
• Mandates use of Malayalam across:
  • Government administration
  • Education
  • Judiciary (phased translation of judgments)
  • Public communication
  • Commerce
  • Digital governance (IT domain)
• All Bills and Ordinances to be introduced in Malayalam.

Education-Related Provisions

• Malayalam to be the compulsory first language:
  • In government and aided schools
  • Up to Class 10
• Does not automatically apply to:
  • Unaided private schools
  • CBSE/ICSE unless notified separately.

Institutional & Administrative Measures

• Renaming of:
  • Personnel and Administrative Reforms (Official Language) Department → Malayalam Language Development Department.
• Creation of:
  • Malayalam Language Development Directorate.
• Role of IT Department:
  • Develop open-source software & digital tools to promote Malayalam in e-governance and IT.

Has a Similar Bill Been Introduced Earlier?

• Yes (Over a decade ago):
  • Kerala had earlier attempted legislation to strengthen Malayalam’s official use.
  • The earlier initiative did not reach full statutory implementation.
• 2025 Bill is more comprehensive, covering:
  • Education, judiciary, IT, and digital governance.

Why Has Karnataka Opposed the Bill?

Core Objections

• Impact on Kannada linguistic minority in Kerala, particularly:
  • Kasaragod district, a border region.
• Key concern:
  • Students currently studying Kannada as first language may be forced to shift to Malayalam.
• Data cited:
  • Kannada medium schools in Kasaragod declined from 197 to 192 in recent years.
• Karnataka’s fear:
  • Bill could accelerate erosion of Kannada language presence in Kerala.

Constitutional Objection

• Bill allegedly violates:
  • Rights of linguistic minorities.
  • Spirit of Articles 29 and 30 (cultural & educational rights).
• Karnataka CM has stated:
  • State will use all constitutional remedies, including approaching the President.

Does the Bill Make Malayalam Mandatory Across All Schools?

Clear Answer: No (with qualifications)

• Mandatory only for government and aided schools.
• Applies only up to Class 10.
• Special protections exist for linguistic minorities (see below).
• Private unaided institutions retain flexibility, subject to policy rules.

Kerala Government’s Defence

Linguistic Minority Safeguards

• Special provisions for linguistic minorities:
  • Tamil, Kannada, Tulu, Konkani speakers.
• Minority citizens allowed to:
  • Use mother tongue for correspondence with:
    • State Secretariat
    • Heads of Departments
    • Local government offices in minority-dominated areas.

Legal & Constitutional Alignment

• Kerala CM argues:
  • Bill aligned with:
    • Official Languages Act, 1963
    • Article 346 – Language for inter-State communication.
    • Article 347 – Recognition of minority languages in States.
• Non-obstante clause (Clause 7):
  • Overrides general provisions to protect linguistic minorities.

Federal & Constitutional Dimensions

Relevant Constitutional Articles

• Article 345 – State legislature may adopt official language(s).
• Article 346–347 – Inter-State communication & minority language recognition.
• Articles 29–30 – Protection of minority culture and education.

Core Federal Issue

• Balance between:
  • State’s right to promote its official language
  • Minority linguistic rights in border regions
• Raises questions of:
  • Cooperative federalism
  • Cultural accommodation vs linguistic homogenisation.

Governance & Policy Analysis

Merits

• Strengthens:
  • Cultural identity
  • Vernacular governance
  • Access to justice (translated judgments)
• Supports:
  • Digital inclusion through language tech.
• Aligns with:
  • NEP 2020 emphasis on mother tongue education.

Challenges

• Border districts with mixed populations.
• Declining minority-language institutions.
• Potential:
  • Inter-State linguistic friction.
  • Politicisation of language policy.

Way Forward

• Explicit statutory exemptions for border linguistic pockets.
• District-wise language flexibility in education.
• Inter-State dialogue mechanisms under Inter-State Council.
• Periodic review of minority-language school viability.
• Judicial clarity post-Governor assent, if challenged.

Prelims Pointers

• Bill year: 2025
• Applies to: Government & aided schools
• Mandatory language: Malayalam (first language, up to Class 10)
• Special clause for linguistic minorities: Yes (Clause 7)
• Opposition State: Karnataka
• Border district concerned: Kasaragod

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