The Hindu: Published on 15th Jan 2026:
Why in News?
The Malayalam Language Bill, 2025 has come into national focus due to an inter-State constitutional and linguistic dispute between Kerala and Karnataka. Although the Bill was passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly in October 2025, it has triggered opposition from Karnataka, which argues that the proposed provisions may infringe upon the linguistic rights of Kannada-speaking minorities living in Kerala, particularly in Kasaragod district.
The controversy has elevated the issue beyond state legislation into a matter involving constitutional safeguards for linguistic minorities, federal relations, and the division of legislative competence between the State and the Centre, with the Bill currently awaiting the Governor’s assent.
Background and Context:
Kerala has historically promoted Malayalam as a symbol of cultural identity, but English has co-existed as an official language for administrative and judicial convenience. Over the years, the State has sought to institutionalise Malayalam more comprehensively in governance, education, and public life.
A similar legislative attempt was made through the Malayalam Language (Dissemination and Enrichment) Bill, 2015. Although passed by the Kerala Assembly, that Bill was withheld presidential assent after being referred to the President due to conflicts with:
The Official Languages Act, 1963
The three-language formula under national education policy
Minority language protections under the Constitution
Provisions of the Right to Education Act, 2009
Learning from that experience, the Kerala government has introduced the 2025 Bill, claiming it removes earlier constitutional defects while strengthening Malayalam’s functional role.
What Does the Malayalam Language Bill, 2025 Entail?
The Bill seeks to formally declare Malayalam as the sole official language of Kerala, subject to constitutional provisions. Its scope extends across multiple domains of public life.
In governance, it mandates the use of Malayalam in government administration, public communication, commerce, and digital platforms. All Bills and Ordinances are to be introduced in Malayalam, reinforcing its primacy in legislative functioning.
In the education sector, the most contentious provision is the proposal to make Malayalam the compulsory first language in all government and aided schools up to Class 10. This provision aims to ensure early linguistic immersion and cultural continuity.
In the judiciary, the Bill envisages a phased translation of judgments and court proceedings into Malayalam, thereby improving public accessibility to legal processes.
Institutionally, the Bill proposes renaming the Personnel and Administrative Reforms (Official Language) Department as the Malayalam Language Development Department, along with the creation of a Malayalam Language Development Directorate. The Information Technology Department will support the development of open-source Malayalam software, integrating the language into the digital ecosystem.
Does the Bill Make Malayalam Mandatory Across All Schools?
While the Bill does mandate Malayalam as the first language in government and aided schools, it does not automatically eliminate other languages from the curriculum. However, critics argue that making Malayalam compulsory as the first language could indirectly marginalise minority languages, especially in regions with significant non-Malayalam populations.
Private unaided schools are not explicitly covered under the same rigidity, but the concern lies in how uniform implementation might affect linguistic diversity in practice.
Why Has Karnataka Opposed the Bill?
Karnataka’s opposition stems from concerns over the erosion of linguistic minority rights, particularly of Kannada-speaking communities in Kasaragod, a Kerala district bordering Karnataka.
Currently, students in these regions often study Kannada as their first language, supported by Kannada-medium schools. Karnataka fears that enforcing Malayalam as the compulsory first language could:
Disrupt existing educational arrangements
Accelerate the decline of Kannada-medium institutions (already reduced from 197 to 192 schools)
Gradually weaken Kannada’s cultural presence in border areas
The Karnataka government has termed the Bill “unconstitutional”, arguing that it violates Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution, which protect the cultural and educational rights of minorities. A delegation from the Karnataka Border Area Development Authority has formally requested the Kerala Governor to reject or seek amendments to the Bill.
Kerala Government’s Defence and Constitutional Justification:
The Kerala government has strongly defended the Bill, asserting that it is constitutionally compliant and sensitive to minority rights.
Law Minister P. Rajeeve clarified that the Bill includes explicit safeguards for linguistic minorities such as Tamil, Kannada, Tulu, and Konkani speakers. These groups will be allowed to:
Use their mother tongue for correspondence with government offices
Communicate in their language with local administrative bodies in minority-dominated areas
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has highlighted Clause 7, a non-obstante clause, which overrides other provisions to ensure minority protections. He has argued that the Bill is aligned with:
Articles 346 and 347 of the Constitution (official language use and recognition of minority languages)
The Official Languages Act, 1963
According to the Kerala government, the Bill promotes Malayalam without suppressing linguistic plurality.
Karnataka’s Continued Response and Political Escalation:
Despite Kerala’s assurances, Karnataka has maintained its opposition. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has stated that Karnataka will use every constitutional remedy available if the Bill is not withdrawn or amended. The State has indicated its willingness to escalate the matter to the President of India.
The Karnataka Border Area Development Authority has demanded explicit exemptions for Kannada-speaking regions, arguing that general safeguards are insufficient without territorially specific protections.
Constitutional and Federal Issues Involved:
The dispute highlights a classic federal tension between:
A State’s right to promote its official language, and
The Constitution’s mandate to protect linguistic minorities
Education falls under the Concurrent List, allowing both the Centre and States to legislate, but subject to central laws and constitutional principles. The Bill’s fate may depend on whether it is seen as reasonable promotion of Malayalam or as an overreach that indirectly curtails minority rights.
The Governor’s decision — whether to grant assent, seek clarifications, or reserve the Bill for Presidential consideration — will be crucial.
Broader Significance and Way Forward:
The Malayalam Language Bill, 2025 is not merely a language policy; it represents a larger debate on identity, inclusivity, and cooperative federalism in India. While preserving regional languages is vital for cultural sustainability, it must be balanced against India’s constitutional commitment to linguistic diversity and minority protection.
A negotiated approach — possibly through targeted exemptions, clearer implementation guidelines, or inter-State dialogue — could prevent the issue from escalating into a prolonged constitutional conflict.
Conclusion:
The Malayalam Language Bill, 2025 reflects Kerala’s effort to strengthen Malayalam’s institutional role while exposing the complex constitutional challenges of governing a linguistically diverse nation. Its final outcome will test India’s ability to harmonise regional cultural assertion with pluralism, a core principle of its constitutional democracy.
