http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEK20080119221831&Page=K&Tit...

Who is Deshmukh to deny classical language status to Kannada?
Sunday January 20 2008 08:40 IST

MANGALORE: Who is Vilas Rao Deshmukh to deny the classical language status to Kannada? Rajya Sabha member B Janardhan Poojary thundered on Saturday. Addressing members at the Janandolana organised in Football pavilion near Town Hall, he said; we as Kannadigas are not objecting to Marathi language trying to secure classical language status. Then why should Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilas Rao Deshmukh object to conferring the status on Kannada language?

He may be from the same political party, but who is he to object the move to give due recognition to Kannada language? he repeated.

Poojary warned that Kannadigas would protest against the conferring of classical language status on Kannada if Deshmukh did not stop his campaign.

Just as he has lot of pride for Marathi language, we do have the same pride for Kannada language, he added.

ಕನ್ನಡಕ್ಕೆ ಏನೆಲ್ಲ ಅಡ್ಡಿ!