On Monday, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government introduced the Malayalam Language Bill (2025) in the Kerala Assembly, marking a significant step towards enhancing the status of the state’s native tongue.
Law Minister P. Rajeeve highlighted that the Bill’s primary objective is to firmly establish Malayalam as the central language for all official government communications throughout Kerala. Furthermore, it proposes making Malayalam the official legal language in District Sessions Courts for cases involving minor offenses.
Mr. Rajeeve reassured that the new legislation also prioritizes the protection of linguistic minorities. This includes individuals who identify Tamil, Kannada, Tulu, and Kongu as their native languages, ensuring their voices are heard and rights preserved.
He further clarified that the Bill explicitly upholds the right of these minority groups to communicate with government bodies in their own languages or in English, providing flexibility and inclusivity.
The Minister explained that the Bill aims to declare Malayalam as Kerala’s singular official language, a change from the current system where both English and Malayalam hold official status. Additionally, the proposed law includes provisions to establish Malayalam as the primary language of instruction in all schools across the state.
A key aspect of the Bill is the proposal to establish a dedicated Malayalam Language Development Directorate. This new body would operate under the Official Language Wing for Personnel and Administrative Reforms, focusing on the growth and promotion of Malayalam.
Mr. Rajeeve clarified that the Bill mandates Malayalam as the official language for all ordinances issued by the Kerala Governor, bills presented in the Assembly, acts approved by the Legislature, and all government rules, orders, regulations, and by-laws. Crucially, English translations will also be provided for these documents.
He noted that previous attempts to introduce similar legislation, designed to safeguard and foster Malayalam in the face of widespread English usage, had not received the necessary approval from the Governor and President.
The Union government had previously raised objections to certain provisions, particularly concerning the rights of linguistic minorities and the implementation of trilingual education, aligning with the national curriculum and the Right to Education Act of 2009.
Mr. Rajeeve assured the Assembly that the current Bill aims to correct these past issues, all while maintaining its core mission of protecting and advancing Malayalam language and culture.
The Minister also criticized the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), accusing them of “irresponsibly disrupting” legislative proceedings during vital discussions.
He suggested that the UDF members, appearing “clueless and subject-starved,” made a spectacle of themselves by staging walkouts after adjournment debates, even though the government had nothing to hide.
Mr. Rajeeve further pointed out that the UDF had quietly ended its prolonged sit-in protest outside the Assembly, which was initially against the government’s police policy. He remarked that the Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, had not offered any explanation for why this highly publicized protest within the Assembly complex simply vanished, suggesting a lack of decisive leadership within the UDF to challenge the government effectively.
Ultimately, the Treasury benches successfully passed a government resolution to refer the Bill to the Kerala Legislative Assembly Subject Committee (14) via a voice vote, moving the important language legislation forward.