Two months after President Droupadi Murmu withheld assent to the Malayalam Language Bill, the Kerala state government is preparing to reintroduce the legislation in a new form. The decision comes as part of efforts to revive the contentious bill, as stated by Education Minister V Sivankutty at a convention organized by Aikya Malayala Prasthanam.
The minister emphasized that the government recognizes the significance of the bill and will undertake an in-depth study of its possibilities before its potential reintroduction. However, it’s important to note that no changes have been finalized yet, according to the office of the Law Minister.
The Malayalam Language Bill, which garnered substantial attention in Kerala’s political and cultural circles, aims to establish Malayalam as the sole official language of the state, effectively replacing English for all administrative purposes. The bill’s original version, introduced in 2018, was met with criticism from various quarters, leading to its rejection by the President.
As the debate surrounding the bill continues, stakeholders on both sides await further developments. While proponents argue that it is essential for preserving and promoting Malayalam culture, opponents contend that it may hinder progress and communication in a multilingual state like Kerala.
In the meantime, the government’s decision to reintroduce the bill in a revised form raises questions about the potential changes that might be made to address the concerns raised during the initial review process.
