In Karnataka, now in 2020, Kannada education is at a perilous stage. This paper, "Language Education in Karnataka Since 1956", (full title 'Language Education (language as a subject and as a medium of instruction from 1st to 10th standards) in Karnataka -A Journey from 1956') intends to take the reader through twists and turns that school education in the multilingual state has taken in dealing with language issues. The role played by the committees, government and judiciary in formulating language policy is analysed. The changes that have taken place in language education are highlighted.

An attempt is also made to look at the socio-economic and socio-linguistic issues that have played a role in this struggle for existence of Kannada in the multilingual maze.

The journey passes through: the primacy of mother tongue in the primary schools from 1st to 4th standards (1956); status of Kannada as a 'sole' first language in the secondary schools (1982); only students whose mother tongue is English can study in English medium from 1st to 4thstandards (1994) and now, the student or on his behalf parents or guardian has right to choose the medium of instruction (2014).

Ultimately it is proved beyond doubt that legal issues are important for judiciary and not the academic or cognitive issues.

The poor response of the students to study through their mother tongue, extraordinary love of English medium and support of the government for the same through setting up of new English medium sections, attempt of the government to compulsorily teach Kannada either as first or second language in schools, with 'The Kannada Language Learning Act, 2015' not taking off the ground in letter and spirit are discussed in this paper.