Priyank Kharge on Kerala row: 'In Kasaragod, more than 90% of the people speak Kannada'

A major language dispute is unfolding between Karnataka and Kerala, with Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge at the centre of the controversy. Kharge has made a significant claim, stating, 'in Kasaragod, more than 90% of the people speak Kannada.' He argued that while promoting a language is not wrong, it should not be enforced on people. This statement comes as the Karnataka Chief Minister has already written to his Kerala counterpart, urging respect for all languages and cultures and advising against the imposition of any single language. Speaking from Bidar district, Kharge reiterated that Karnataka is not against Malayalam but opposes the mandatory learning of one language across the entire state, highlighting that the original bifurcation of states was done on a linguistic basis.