The Kannada Development Authority (KDA) has called on the Karnataka State Government to enforce the 5% reservation for Kannadigas living in border regions and outside the state, which was introduced in 2011.
KDA Chairman, Prof. Purushottham Bilimale, has written to the government, expressing concern over the lack of implementation despite the policy being in place for over 13 years. He emphasized that many students who studied in Kannada medium schools from Class 1 to 10 are being deprived of admission to higher education and professional courses.
Prof. Bilimale noted that districts such as Raichur, Belagavi, and Kalaburagi, which share borders with Maharashtra, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, are home to several Kannada-medium schools. However, students from these regions face difficulties securing admissions in institutions within Karnataka. "Several complaints have been received about students being denied their rightful reservation, and in some cases, even basic hostel facilities," he said in his letter to critical ministers.
The KDA Chairman also pointed out specific instances, such as a student from Tamil Nadu being refused admission in a Mysuru college despite having studied in Kannada medium. He warned that this negligence could harm the progress of Kannada language and culture, as many students from border areas and outside the state are being unjustly denied access to education. He urged the government to address these issues and ensure the proper implementation of the 2011 reservation order.
