Language row: Bengaluru Civic Body mandates shops to have ’60% Kannada’ on signboards

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Bengaluru, Dec 25, 2023: Bengaluru civic body, in its latest directive, has asked shops to ensure their signboards have at least 60% Kannada, fuelling the Hindi vs Kannada row in Karnataka.

According to an NDTV report, Tushar Giri Nath, the chief commissioner of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) said commercial stores in the civic body’s jurisdiction will face legal action if they fail to follow the signboard order.

 

The official, while addressing a meeting with Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), an organisation known for pushing the Kannada language issue, said, “There are 1400 km of arterial and sub-arterial roads in the city, and all the commercial shops on these roads will be surveyed zone wise. After the survey, a notice will be given to the shops that do not use 60 per cent Kannada language. After issuing the notice, they will be given time till February 28 to implement Kannada language nameplates and submit compliance to the respective zone commissioners.”

“Legal action will be taken against shops that do not install Kannada nameplates by February 28. Accordingly, shopfronts that do not use Kannada language on nameplates will be suspended as per the law and then their licence will be cancelled,” he added.

Meanwhile, a video of a KRV supporter threatening shopkeepers over the language issue surfaced on social media. The video showed a campaign vehicle in a narrow alley, atop which, a woman holding a microphone and threatening Marwari shopkeepers.

“This is Karnataka. The Kannadigas are this state’s pride. You go and show your pride in your state. Marwaris, next time you say you do not know Kannada, you will be a target,” the woman said.

In October 2024, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah brought the language row back into the limelight saying everyone living in the state should learn to speak Kannada.

“We are all Kannadigas. People speaking different languages have settled in this Kannada land since the unification of Karnataka. Everyone living in this state should learn to speak Kannada,” he had said.