‘Kannada Shouldn’t Be Imposed on Non- Kannadigas : Nalapad’s Remark Triggers Outrage Over Alleged Anti-Kannada Stand

By Bangalore Mail Staff Reporter

Bengaluru, July 29:
Congress youth leader Mohammed Haris Nalapad has found himself at the centre of a growing controversy after suggesting that Kannada should not be “imposed” on non-Kannadigas in Bengaluru — a comment that has drawn the ire of several Kannada supporters online.

Speaking on a recent video podcast hosted by RJ Rapid Rashmi, Nalapad — who heads the Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress and is the son of senior Congress MLA NA Haris — was asked how the city could be made more youth-friendly. In his response, he recounted a conversation at a salon, where he was asked whether he supported the idea of confronting people in the name of Kannada.

Nalapad distanced himself from such views, stating that Kannada should be respected and loved, but not wielded as a weapon. “Love your language,” he said, “but don’t use it to demolish Bengaluru.” His remarks were intended to promote linguistic harmony, but many Kannadigas interpreted them as dismissive of the state language’s rightful prominence in Karnataka’s capital.

Clips of the podcast quickly spread across social media, with critics accusing Nalapad of undermining Kannada pride and taking an “anti-Kannada” stance. Some have even called for an apology, saying his words reflect a lack of sensitivity toward the language that defines Karnataka’s cultural identity.

As of now, Nalapad has not issued a public clarification in response to the backlash.