Kerala Law Minister P. Rajeeve spoke out on January 11, 2025, criticizing the quiet response from Kerala's Congress leaders to Karnataka’s protests against the Malayalam Language Bill, 2025. Addressing the media, he called Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's claim that the Bill fails to protect linguistic minorities, including Kannada speakers, “out of place.” Mr. Rajeeve noted that similar criticism happened in 2015 when a comparable law was passed by the Kerala Assembly while Siddaramaiah’s Congress party ruled Kerala. "Why does the Opposition in Kerala remain silent when the Karnataka government is taking a stand against Kerala in the name of a non-existing clause?" Mr. Rajeeve asked. He warned that creating the wrong impression of conflict between Kerala and Karnataka, where many Keralites live, must be taken seriously. Pointing to Clause 7 of the Bill, the Minister explained that Kannada and Tamil speakers in designated areas may continue to use their mother tongues for official communication with local offices and the Secretariat. Replies will be given in the same language. He contrasted this with Karnataka’s own Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act, which encourages linguistic minorities to use Kannada or English for official work, with replies in those languages. Mr. Rajeeve also cited the Kannada Language Learning Act, 2015, which makes Kannada compulsory in all schools as a first or second language in phases. He emphasized that Kerala’s Bill allows linguistic minorities to choose their learning language freely. This statement followed Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s strong defense of the Malayalam Language Bill, saying critics misunderstand its intent. Vijayan’s remarks came after Karnataka’s Chief Minister urged Kerala to withdraw the Bill to protect Kannada-speaking minorities. The debate brings to light sensitive issues around language and minority rights in South India, with Kerala standing firm on its new law despite Karnataka's objections.