Vatal asks Karnataka MPs to oppose Centre’s Hindi ‘imposition’ 

He suspects that the Centre is trying to suppress the regional language in State

Protesting against the Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s suggestion to use Hindi as a “link language”, pro Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj on Sunday called upon the MPs of Karnataka to send a message opposing the “imposition” of Hindi by the Centre.

Mr. Nagaraj, who also heads the Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha, held a demonstration at Hardinge Circle in Mysuru on Sunday and threatened to call for a State-wide agitation if any effort is made to impose Hindi.

He said that the primacy should be accorded to Kannada in Karnataka and suspected that the Centre is trying to suppress the regional languages. He alleged that Mr. Shah was conspiring against regional languages.

Contending that there was a threat to Karnataka from Hindi, Mr. Nagaraj said the Centre’s designs were aimed at sidelining Kannada in the State. He urged the State Government to immediately reject Hindi and curb the usage of the language in banks, railways, post offices etc.

Mr. Nagaraj also expressed concern over the growing communalisation in the State.

Expressing dismay over the efforts to disturb the harmony among different communities in the State, Mr. Nagaraj said the statements of political leaders were spreading unrest in the society.

He asked Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to immediately pay attention to the ransacking of shops belonging to Muslim communities and take action against the culprits. Mr. Nagaraj also criticised the silence of the Government in the regard.