Udupi:  Members of the Udupi district unit of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat staged a protest  near the service bus stand in the town recently opposing the state government plans to have English as a compulsory medium of instruction in government schools  from sixth standard onwards.

The Parishat has strongly felt that the government as well as policy makers have failed to realize the importance of teaching children in mother tongue.

Addressing the agitators, Neelavara Surendra Adiga, President of the Udupi district unit of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat said the Parishat was committed to protect Kannada language. He said the Parishat was in favour of having English as a compulsory subject in schools, but not as a compulsory medium of instruction.

Sahitya Parishat office bearers VH Bhat, Uppangala Ram Bhat, H Shantharam Aithal and others took part.