In a bold confrontation with the central government, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday condemned the Indian Railways for scrapping key promotion exams amid a Kannada language dispute. The decision came after fierce backlash from local groups upset that exams weren’t available in Kannada.
Details reveal the cancellations hit hard: 194 slots for Goods Train Managers in the Southwest zone and 101 LDCE posts in Hubli. Kannada employees, numbering in thousands, had repeatedly appealed for language accommodations, only to be dismissed until street protests prompted the reversal.
Siddaramaiah painted a picture of neglect, saying the abrupt halt created unnecessary hardship for dedicated workers. “Had the railways listened early and allowed Kannada papers, none of this drama,” he stated, slamming the ministry for disregarding peaceful demands.
Broadening his critique, the CM highlighted a pattern of discrimination in central exams favoring Hindi, sidelining Kannada aspirants. He expressed dismay that this unfolded under the watch of Rail Minister V. Somanna from Karnataka, calling on him to bridge the gap between Delhi and Bengaluru.
The Chief Minister escalated his appeal to PM Modi, seeking orders for fair language policies and quick rescheduling with Kannada options. This standoff revives debates on federalism and cultural equity, testing the balance between national unity and state identities in India’s multilingual landscape.