According to Godwin, a PHD scholar, “Learning a native language can be highly beneficial. With the availability of numerous books and online apps, picking up a local language has become much easier, and within just a month, one can often understand and engage in basic conversations. While fluency isn’t essential, learning a new language is an asset that can enhance your experience without any downside. For me language isn’t just about words; it’s about building bridges between people.”However, he opposes the actions of some Kannada speakers who mistreat people from outside the state for not knowing Kannada, emphasising that it’s ultimately each individual’s right to decide whether or not to learn a language. He further added that learning basic communication skills in a new language can be especially helpful when visiting other states or countries.However, there are also students who come to the city with no prior exposure to Kannada and find learning the language tough.Hari Govind, a BA student at Christ University in Bengaluru, shared that learning Kannada was initially very difficult for him. “I come from Kerala and didn’t know a single word in the local language, let alone how to converse. So, at first, it was hard even to understand what the locals were saying.””Many of my friends from other states faced the same issue. When we went out with friends, it was quite embarrassing to face the locals’ mocking looks. They often laughed at our helplessness, though there were always people willing to help us in English or Hindi,” Govind says.Why some Kannadigas feel the need to impose KannadaThe sentiments that Kannada should be prioritised by those living in Bengaluru, especially outsiders, is rooted in several factors:Preservation of identity: Language is a crucial aspect of any culture, and for many Kannadigas, speaking Kannada is a way of preserving their identity in a rapidly changing urban landscape. With Bengaluru’s cosmopolitan nature, some feel that their language is under threat, and the push to use Kannada more widely is seen as a way to safeguard cultural continuity.Historical and political context: There is a long history of language-related politics in Karnataka, from the state’s struggle for linguistic autonomy to the fight against the dominance of Hindi. For many Kannadigas, the push for Kannada is not just about language; it’s about asserting the state’s autonomy and resisting external pressures from dominant languages like Hindi and English.Cultural integration: Some locals believe that speaking Kannada is essential for integrating into the city’s social fabric. In this view, knowing the local language is an important step in fostering better communication and creating a sense of community, especially as Bengaluru continues to grow and diversify.Practical reasons: On a more pragmatic level, Kannada remains the most efficient language for conducting everyday business in Bengaluru. From interacting with street vendors to understanding local signs and menus, knowing Kannada can make life easier and more seamless in the city.Ultimately, the key question arises — what truly qualifies someone as an ‘Indian’? As Ayushmann Khurrana’s famous dialogue from Anek asks, ‘Sirf Indian kaise hote hain, sir? North Indian nahi, South Indian nahi, East Indian nahi, West Indian nahi… kaise hote hain sir, sirf Indian?’ (On what basis can we define someone as an ‘Indian’ without labeling them as North Indian, South Indian, East Indian, or West Indian?) When will we stop referring to people as Tamil, Mallu, Kannadiga, Bengali, or Bihari, and simply call them Indian?”
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