Bengaluru railway exam sparks protests over Kannada exclusion
South Western Railway's Bengaluru division is under fire for holding its Goods Train Manager promotion exam only in Hindi and English, leaving out Kannada.
While other divisions like Mysuru and Hubballi included Kannada as an option, this move has upset pro-Kannada groups and political leaders, who say it goes against official guidelines that require regional language options.
Why does it matter?
For many in Karnataka, Kannada isn't just a language—it's part of their identity.
Excluding it from such a major exam feels unfair to locals and has reignited debates about representation and equal opportunity.
Leaders are calling this a "violation of official guidelines" and urging an immediate correction from the Union Railway Minister, while activists warn protests could escalate if things don't change soon.
This issue highlights broader questions about respecting regional languages in national institutions.