A lighthearted exchange occurred between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and President Droupadi Murmu during her visit to Mysuru on Monday, September 1, 2025. The interaction took place at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH).

During his welcome address, which he began in Kannada, Siddaramaiah turned to President Murmu with a smile and asked, "Do you know Kannada?". President Murmu, also smiling, acknowledged that she did not know the language but pledged to learn it.

In her subsequent address, President Murmu responded to Siddaramaiah's question, stating, "I would like to tell the honorable Chief Minister that although Kannada is not my mother tongue, I deeply cherish all the languages, cultures, and traditions of my country. I hold great respect and regard for each of them". She further emphasized the importance of preserving all languages, cultures, and traditions. Concluding her speech on the matter, she added, "I will certainly make an effort to learn Kannada, little by little," which was met with applause from the audience.

The event at AIISH was attended by several dignitaries, including Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, and BJP MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, who is the royal scion of Mysuru.

Siddaramaiah's question to President Murmu comes after his earlier remarks that "everyone living in this state should learn to speak Kannada". This statement had previously sparked protests from opposition parties. During his earlier tenure as Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah had also advocated for the wider use of the Kannada language.