Overview
- The Malayalam Language Bill, 2025 passed the Kerala Assembly and is awaiting the Governor’s assent.
- Pinarayi Vijayan said the legislation contains a non‑obstante clause protecting linguistic minorities, allows official correspondence in minority languages with replies in the same language, and exempts out‑of‑state or foreign students from Malayalam exams in Classes IX–XII.
- Siddaramaiah urged Kerala to withdraw the Bill, calling the approach coercive and warning it could burden students from linguistic minorities.
- Local Self Government Minister M. B. Rajesh termed Siddaramaiah’s remarks dangerous and irresponsible, alleged a political motive linked to recent criticism over Yelahanka, and noted the Assembly passed the Bill unanimously.
- Aikya Malayala Prasthanam dismissed unconstitutionality claims as a gimmick, asserted Kerala’s constitutional authority on language policy, and accused Karnataka’s Kannada language laws of discriminating against minorities.