Call to include all regional languages as option in exams

"Non-Hindi speakers all over the country are now discriminated by these central government exams and it is not late for the central government to amend these exams"

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: Arecent tweet by former Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, has sparked a social media debate on the issue of regional languages being included as an option for central examinations. In response to the release of the CRPF recruitment notification that said that the exam can be attempted in Hindi and English.

Siddaramaiah tweeted to the Prime Minister of India, urging him to allow candidates to write the exam in Kannada as well. He stated that relaxing the rule of writing the exam only in English and Hindi would benefit candidates from non-Hindi states. This tweet has evoked strong responses from students, aspirants, and activists alike.

Yashas S, a Class XII student from Karnataka, highlighted the need for regional language options in these central examinations as candidates from southern rural areas often lack access to education in Hindi or English, “This puts several eligible candidates at a disadvantage when attempting these exams,” he added.

R Barath, an engineer who appeared only for state government examinations, argued that non-Hindi speakers have an unfair disadvantage in these examinations over Hindi speakers, he said, “All regional languages to be given equal importance for all examinations conducted by the central government.” Tejas, a BCA student from Karnataka, said that allowing exams to be conducted in all regional languages would encourage participation from students across the country, particularly those in rural areas.

Answering the question of why this issue has never been brought up before, R Suresh Kumar a political researcher said, “People have been deprived of using their mother tongue for the past few years and now fortunately or unfortunately people are becoming more alert with the support of a few political parties. He says, “Non-Hindi speakers all over the country are now discriminated by these central government exams and it is not late for the central government to amend these exams.”

A Bengaluru-based activist Chetan Jeeral opines that all exams conducted by the central government should have the option to attempt it in all 22 regional languages recogonised by the Indian constitution. “If this happens, all the forces including the CRPF will have the right mix of people from all backgrounds and states,” he said.