Mysuru: Observing that primary education should be only in the regional language, senior Scholar Dr. K. Anantaramu has called for making a Constitutional amendment in this regard.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 9th anniversary of Mysuru Sahitya Dasoha and Kannada Rajyotsava celebration organised at Srirama Mandira in Krishnamurthypuram here yesterday.

Pointing out that the State Government had issued an order to this effect in the past, Anantharamu said, however, private schools petitioned the Supreme Court challenging the Government order. The SC, which heard the petition, quashed the Karnataka Government’s order. As such, now the Centre should make an amendment to the Constitution, that mandates everyone to have primary education in the regional language of the State they are domiciled, he urged.

Expressing concern over the fate of Kannada, which has become increasingly vulnerable to the onslaught of English, he said Kannada has been in existence since the times of Mahabharata. Pointing out that Vachana Sahitya and Dasa Sahitya are like the two eyes of Kannada, he said that these two Sahityas have a direct link to Kannada language and culture. One must understand that with the vanishing of the language, Kannada culture too will become extinct, he added.

Senior Journalist Amshi Prasannakumar was the Chief Guest, while Mysuru Sahitya Dasoha Founder M.R. Anand presided.

Convenor Padma Anand, Ranganath, Bhavani, K. Lakshmi, Subbalakshmi, Prof. R.A. Kumar, Rajagopalachari and others were present.

Later a quiz, conducted by Science writer S. Ramprasad was held and the winners were distributed prizes.