60 percent Kannada in signboards: Bill tabled in Karnataka Assembly

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The Bill

Kannada shall be displayed in the upper half of the name board, the Bill in its statement of objects and reasons said.

The Bill also amends the Act to appoint the Director, Directorate of Kannada and Culture as the Member, and the Secretary, Kannada Development Authority to be the Convener of the “State Level Committee”, that will act as an enforcement authority for implementing the official language.

The Karnataka Cabinet on 5 January gave its approval to an ordinance to amend the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act that mandates 60 percent use of the state’s language in signages.

As of now, the law requires the use of Kannada language in the upper half of signboards, displaying the names of businesses.

The government had decided to take the ordinance route in the wake of violent protests by pro-Kannada organisations targeting some businesses and establishments in Bengaluru for not giving prominence to Kannada.

Also Read: Karnataka Governor sends ordinance back to government

Governor sent back ordinance

Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot had sent back an ordinance mandating 60 percent use of Kannada in signboards of businesses and establishments, to the state government.

This was revealed by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday, 30 January.

“We (the government) approved an ordinance on signboards. The Governor has sent it back, saying that it should be passed in the Assembly. He could have given his assent now. Giving protection and respect to Kannada is our government’s commitment,” Shivakumar said.

The Karnataka Cabinet had, on 5 January, given its approval to an ordinance to amend the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act that mandates 60 percent use of the state’s language in signages.

The protests

It might be recalled that KRV activists in December 2023 launched an aggressive campaign in Bengaluru, urging traders and businessmen who owned shops and commercial establishments in Bengaluru to put up their name boards with 60 percent covered by Kannada.

This campaign gained momentum over the past few months, particularly after an incident involving the management of Mall of Asia in the Hebbal area of Bengaluru.

The mall had sent a legal notice to KRV activists after they demanded that the management install a Kannada nameboard of equal size to that of the English one for the mall.

The activists also questioned the lack of Kannadiga employees, highlighting the prevalence of guest workers from northern states working for lower wages, with free food and accommodation.

“When we questioned the mall management about not employing Kannadigas, they not only warned us not to interfere in their administrative affairs but also threatened us, stating that the city of Bengaluru had more than 70 percent people from the North. They said if they stood together, the locals would flee from Bengaluru,” a KRV activist had told South First.

As of now, the law requires the use of Kannada language in the upper-half portion of boards, displaying the names of businesses.

The Budget session of the Karnataka Legislature is scheduled to be held from 12 to 23 February.

It is said that the Governor may have sent the ordinance back to the government, considering that the Legislature session is round the corner, official sources said.

Also Read: Pro-Kannada activists vandalise establishments

(With PTI inputs)