Overview

• The court directed the Karnataka government to file objections in a PIL challenging mandatory Kannada instruction in CBSE and CISCE schools by August 1
• Petitioners led by parent C. Somashekar filed the 2023 challenge against the Kannada Language Learning Act, 2015, the 2017 Learning Rules and the 2022 NOC Rules
• Acting Chief Justice V. Kameswar Rao and Justice C. M. Joshi issued notices to both state and central authorities and withheld interim relief until objections are submitted
• Parents argue compulsory Kannada infringes students’ constitutional right to choose their first, second and third languages and may harm academic outcomes and future employment prospects
• The case examines whether the state’s language mandates exceed its authority under the Karnataka Education Act, 1983, with the court reserving the option to act if deadlines are not met