Daijiworld Media Network - Shivamogga (MS)
Shivamogga, Jan 17: Union home minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for Rapid Action Force (RAF) unit building on the evening of Saturday, January 16. The unit is being constructed at Bullapura of Bhadravathi in the district.
However, the plaque that was installed for the foundation stone laying did not carry any information in Kannada language. This has enraged Kannadiga netizens, who expressed their objection on social media.
Many have questioned whether this was Karnataka or some north Indian state. The plaque carries information in English and Hindi and Kannada language is not used anywhere on it.
The information on the foundation stone laying ceremony has been posted on the Facebook account of @CMofKarnataka and many have voiced their frustration at not using Kannada language. Hundreds have commented on the post, while thousands have reacted.
One netizen commented, "There is no doubt that in the coming days, the state itself will be sold off as a slave to Hindi."
"Did this programme take place in Karnataka or some other state? Is Bhadravathi a part of Karnataka or not? Where is Kannada?" questioned another.
Yet another user pointed out that Amit Shah was younger to Yediyurappa. "Dear Yediyurappa, union minister is younger to you. You occupy a higher status than him. Looking at the programme in Bhadravathi we really doubt whether we are in Karnataka or some other state. Amit Shah is nothing in front of some of the movements you have led. Why are you allowing so much leeway now?"
One more user commented, "Dear Yediyurappa, are you the CM of Karnataka or murderer of Kannada for the sake of greed of power? If you do not have the capacity to preserve Kannada language, why do you hold the CM position of Karnataka? Resign from your post and save Kannada and Karnataka."
"Dear CM, what is the use in conducting a programme in Karnataka without the Kannada language? So far you were giving clarification that Kannada language is also there. But today Kannada has totally disappeared. Are you the CM of Karnataka or Uttar Pradesh?" questioned another user.
One user expressed his anger and wrote, "Shivamogga district is the district that has given many Kannada poets. This is the huge insult you have done to Kannada and Shivamogga district. You are a disgrace to Karnataka. Why are you imposing Hindi? To appease whom? Down Down."
Another netizen questioned CM and commented, "Dear Karnataka CM, is it not wrong to neglect thousands of Kannadigas who were assembled near the function and insult Kannada to appease just a handful of people?"
"See the plight of Kannada in the district of Shivamogga where Rashtrakavi Kuvempu is born. #StopHindiImperialism," wrote another user.
One more netizen commented, "Kuvempu said, "If English is a wooden stick, Hindi is an iron rod" objecting against the imposition of Hindi. Today in the district where he was born the offsprings of Nagpur have made Kannada disappear. At least now Kannadigas have to vehemently oppose the imposition of Hindi."
Yet another person appealed, "Respected CM, where is the Kannada plaque? Why is your government so lousy about Kannada language? You want votes of Kannadigas. You want tax of Kannadigas. But you do not want Kannada? Your dual policy is very nice. We do not want your Kannada tweet. When any work or programme of central and Karnataka government are held in Karnataka, display sign boards in Kannada language and give respect to our language which it deserves."
"Where is Kannada, Yediyurappa? You are ready to do anything for the sake of power. You know how to write banners in Gujarati language and inscribe the same on stone. But you find it difficult to write in Kannada. They (people from center) have to be happy no. That is why there is no Kannada," wrote one netizen.