Edited by Deepali Verma
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on December 28 informed that his government has decided that businesses across the state should mandatorily have 60 per cent signboards and nameplates in Kannada and directed shop owners to make the necessary changes by February 28, 2024. He said that an ordinance will be brought to ensure its implementation. This development came in the wake of pro-Kannada organisations demanding Kannada language be displayed on the signboards, nameplates and advertisements.
The proposal of ordinance by the chief minister comes as a reaffirmation of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP)’s order last week which said the trade licences of businesses that do not comply with the 60 per cent Kannada rule on name boards would be cancelled.
Post the civic body’s order, pro-Kannada activists launched a campaign against business establishments in Bengaluru which did not adhere to the norms. To express their disapproval, they either tore down or sprayed paint on signboards which were not in Kannada.
In response to the widespread damage and defacement, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah remarked that his government does not oppose peaceful protests but would also not tolerate instances of people going against the law. He chaired a high-level meeting on December 28 in the presence of BBMP officials and the Culture Department.
“People have to follow rules and if they ignore them, they will have to face the consequences and I am making it clear to everyone. I appeal to all the organisations along with the activists not to take the law into their own hands,” news agency PTI quoted him as saying.
Siddaramaiah assured that amendments will be made to the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act that was passed during the previous regime of the BJP government. Section 17(6) of the Act makes it mandatory for businesses to have half of their signboards in Kannada while the other half can be in any language.
The Congress leader said that an ordinance shall be issued to amend the Act that marks the ratio of Kannada to other languages as 60/40. In addition, he said that a similar circular was issued in 2018 when the Congress was in power in the state. He encouraged everybody to follow the amendment and all private establishments should change their signboards by February 28, said the Karnataka Chief Minister.
Won’t let pro-Kannada activists take law into their hands: DK Shivakumar
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said he is in support of the cause of the pro-Kannada activists but won’t have them taking the law into their own hands.
He added, “It is the collective responsibility to protect our language and I have a lot of respect for pro-Kannada activists. But the government won’t tolerate it if they take the law into their own hands.”
“This affects the reputation of Karnataka,” he added. Shivakumar stated that he had previously spoken in favour of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike chief Narayana Gowda when a complaint was lodged against the activist.
“I would like to tell Narayana Gowda that he can’t take the law into his own hands. We all are Kannadigas and our government is committed to its cause. The Chief Minister has further given very clear instructions to use Kannada in the government documents. The pro-Kannada fighters carry the right to protest peacefully but never violently,” said Shivakumar.
The Deputy Chief Minister pointed out that the state government is committed to protecting the interests of the businesses in Karnataka. However, it is also imperative that they comply with the 60 per cent order. He informed that the government will issue notices to businesses that are non-compliant with the directive.
