Karnataka had adopted the three-language formula for education in schools since the linguistic reorganization of states in 1956. Strong opposition to Hindi was witnessed in the 1960s and '70s, leading to Kannada speakers leaning towards English. This created a wide incompatibility between languages used for state administration and education in Karnataka.[1] Sanskrit was the first language at the time in Karnataka high schools, making the state language, Kannada, the third choice, with no requirement that students learn the language spoken by the majority population in high school.[2]
Matters came to a head after a series of changes to the statuses of the various languages. D. Devaraj Urs, chiefminister of the state from 1972 to 1977 and 1978–80, moved Kannada (and other languages) to the first and second language groups, and Sanskrit to the third; when he lost power, in 1980, R. Gundu Rao moved Sanskrit back to the first. The result was widespread protests, and Rao's government set up a committee, headed by Vinayaka Krishna Gokak. The committee published its report in January 1981, and its recommendations included that Sanskrit not be included as a first language, and that Kannada be the only first language taught at the high school level, and that it be mandatory after Class 3 in primary education. A popular uprising supported the conclusions of the report, with actor Rajkumar assuming a leading position. Seven people were killed by police during the protests, but the popular pressure made the government yield and adopt the committee's recommendations.[2]
Many groups from backwards castes supported the agitation, while the middle and upper classes were ambivalent: "They wanted English medium schools for their children but at the same time wanted Karnataka and the Kannada language as an emotional succour".[3] "Prolonged agitation" by those who favored Kannada led to a decision by the Karnataka government in 1982 to accord "first language" status to Kannada, and make its teaching mandatory in primary schools. The order was challenged by linguistic minorities and their educational institutions; the state's High Court struck the order down in 1989.[4]
^ abChenni, Rajendra (25 November 2020). "Karnataka's defining moments: The Gokak movement and Kannada pride". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
^Misra, Sanghamitra; Niranjana, Tejaswini (2005). "Thinking through 'Region'". Economic and Political Weekly. 40 (44/45): 4674–4678. JSTOR 4417349.
^Jayaram, N. (1993). "The Language Question in Higher Education: Trends and Issues". Higher Education. 26 (1): 93–114. doi:10.1007/BF01575108. JSTOR 3447879. S2CID 143759940.
Further readingEdit
B. Mallikarjun, "Language policy for education in Indian states: Karnataka", in Language in India, Vol.2: 9 December 2002 accessed at [1] 20 February 2007
Harikumar, K. N. . Deccan Herald. kannadasaahithya.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2006.
External linksEdit
N.C. Gundu Rao, "Rewind and replay: Reflections on the Gokak agitation", Deccan Herald, 30 November 2004
September 02, 2023
gokak, agitation, other, uses, gokak, disambiguation, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspape. For other uses see Gokak disambiguation This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Gokak agitation news newspapers books scholar JSTOR November 2017 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Gokak agitation Kannada ಗ ಕ ಕ ಚಳ ವಳ was a successful language rights agitation in the 1980s that fought for the first language status of the Kannada language in the South Indian state of Karnataka It was named after the committee headed by Vinayaka Krishna Gokak which recommended giving primacy to Kannada in state schools Contents 1 Three language formula and opposition 2 See also 3 References 4 Further reading 5 External linksThree language formula and opposition EditKarnataka had adopted the three language formula for education in schools since the linguistic reorganization of states in 1956 Strong opposition to Hindi was witnessed in the 1960s and 70s leading to Kannada speakers leaning towards English This created a wide incompatibility between languages used for state administration and education in Karnataka 1 Sanskrit was the first language at the time in Karnataka high schools making the state language Kannada the third choice with no requirement that students learn the language spoken by the majority population in high school 2 Matters came to a head after a series of changes to the statuses of the various languages D Devaraj Urs chiefminister of the state from 1972 to 1977 and 1978 80 moved Kannada and other languages to the first and second language groups and Sanskrit to the third when he lost power in 1980 R Gundu Rao moved Sanskrit back to the first The result was widespread protests and Rao s government set up a committee headed by Vinayaka Krishna Gokak The committee published its report in January 1981 and its recommendations included that Sanskrit not be included as a first language and that Kannada be the only first language taught at the high school level and that it be mandatory after Class 3 in primary education A popular uprising supported the conclusions of the report with actor Rajkumar assuming a leading position Seven people were killed by police during the protests but the popular pressure made the government yield and adopt the committee s recommendations 2 Many groups from backwards castes supported the agitation while the middle and upper classes were ambivalent They wanted English medium schools for their children but at the same time wanted Karnataka and the Kannada language as an emotional succour 3 Prolonged agitation by those who favored Kannada led to a decision by the Karnataka government in 1982 to accord first language status to Kannada and make its teaching mandatory in primary schools The order was challenged by linguistic minorities and their educational institutions the state s High Court struck the order down in 1989 4 See also EditKannada RajyothsavaReferences Edit Language in India Retrieved 20 February 2007 a b Chenni Rajendra 25 November 2020 Karnataka s defining moments The Gokak movement and Kannada pride Deccan Herald Retrieved 10 December 2020 Misra Sanghamitra Niranjana Tejaswini 2005 Thinking through Region Economic and Political Weekly 40 44 45 4674 4678 JSTOR 4417349 Jayaram N 1993 The Language Question in Higher Education Trends and Issues Higher Education 26 1 93 114 doi 10 1007 BF01575108 JSTOR 3447879 S2CID 143759940 Further reading EditB Mallikarjun Language policy for education in Indian states Karnataka in Language in India Vol 2 9 December 2002 accessed at 1 20 February 2007 Harikumar K N Language and Democracy Deccan Herald kannadasaahithya com Archived from the original on 15 March 2006 External links EditN C Gundu Rao Rewind and replay Reflections on the Gokak agitation Deccan Herald 30 November 2004 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gokak agitation amp oldid 1143446257, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
