D. Devaraj Urs, chiefminister of the state from 1972 to 1977 and 1978–80, moved Kannada (and other languages) to the first and second language groups, and Sanskrit to the third; when he lost power, in 1980, R. Gundu Rao moved Sanskrit back to the first. The result was widespread protests, and Rao's government set up a committee, headed by Vinayaka Krishna Gokak.
D. Devaraj Urs, chiefminister of the state from 1972 to 1977 and 1978–80, shifted Kannada (and other languages) to the primary and secondary language categories, and Sanskrit to the tertiary group; when he lost power, in 1980, R. Gundu Rao returned Sanskrit to the top.