Overview The Department of Collegiate Education in Karnataka has issued an order mandating that all government, aided, and private degree colleges, as well as B.Ed colleges, conduct all letter correspondence and submit documents for National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation in Kannada. This decision follows a letter from the Chairman of the Kannada Development Authority (KDA) , highlighting the need to promote the state's official language in educational institutions. Key Developments Order for Kannada Correspondence: All colleges must now use Kannada for NAAC-related communications and documentation. KDA's Role: The KDA prompted the order after receiving complaints about the imposition of English on Kannada faculty. NAAC Accreditation: Colleges undergo NAAC evaluation every five years based on academic quality standards. Complaint by Kannada Professor: A professor from R.B.N.M.S. First Grade College in Bengaluru reported being forced to prepare documents in English, leading to mental harassment. KDA Chairman's Dissatisfaction: The Chairman expressed concern over the 'anti-Kannada attitude' of colleges prioritizing English. Background and Context The order emphasizes that Kannada is the sovereign and administrative language of Karnataka. The directive aims to ensure that daily correspondence related to NAAC is conducted in Kannada, reflecting the state's language policy. The complaint filed by the Kannada professor highlighted that the Kannada department was being compelled to prepare all documents in English under the pretext of University Grants Commission (UGC) and NAAC accreditation requirements. Statements and Concerns Purushottama Bilimale's Statement: The KDA Chairman criticized RBNMS College for violating the directive to use Kannada in NAAC correspondence. Demand for Kannadiga Member in NAAC Committee: Prof. Bilimale advocated for a Kannadiga member in the NAAC committee during visits to Karnataka to facilitate document translation and ensure fair assessment. Concerns over English Documentation: Questions were raised about the necessity of submitting documents in English for Kannada subjects and the pressure exerted by external NAAC members. Implications and Future Steps The order reinforces the government's commitment to promoting regional languages in education and administration. It also opens avenues for bilingual documentation, allowing colleges to translate documents from Kannada to English when required. This initiative could potentially reduce the pressure on Kannada-speaking faculty and promote a more inclusive academic environment. UPSC Relevance This news is relevant to GS2: Government Policies and Interventions , particularly concerning education and language policies. It also touches upon issues related to the development and promotion of regional languages, which are important for maintaining cultural diversity and inclusivity. Important Facts NAAC: Evaluates colleges every five years . KDA: Plays a crucial role in promoting Kannada. RBNMS College: The institution where the complaint originated. Government Order: Supports correspondence in regional languages.