A stringent mandate dictates that 60 percent of all writing on name boards must bear the imprint of Kannada by 28 February, 2024, or businesses risk the dire consequence of trade license suspension.
BBMP Commissioner Tushar Girinath mandates 60 percent signboards in Kannada to all the shops in Bengaluru City. (supplied)
A regional linguistic upheaval is unsettling non-Kannadiga traders in Bengaluru City, with the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) spearheading a fervent campaign for the prominence of the Kannada language in their signboards.
Amidst the escalating tensions, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has taken a decisive stand. BBMP Commissioner Tushar Girinath, recognising the need for linguistic conformity, has set a formidable deadline for all shops under the municipality’s limits.
By 28 February, 2024, a stringent mandate dictates that 60 percent of the writing on all name boards must be in Kannada, or businesses risk the suspension of their trade licences.
This BBMP decision came after non-Kannadiga traders in Bengaluru were harassed and abused by activists of the KRV — a pro-Kannada organisation — for having the signboards in predominantly in English or Hindi.
The activists wanted 65 percent of the space on the boards dedicated to Kannada.
The BBMP directive extends to major malls, urging swift adoption of Kannada on nameplates or risk disciplinary actions — to the severity of suspension of trade license.
In a meeting held at the Malleswaram IPP Hall alongside members of the KRV, BBMP Commissioner Tushar Girinath underscored the imperative for Kannada language incorporation in the signboards of various commercial establishments under the corporation’s purview.
He detailed forthcoming initiatives, stating, “A comprehensive discussion with zonal commissioners is on the agenda, focusing on the obligatory use of Kannada on nameplates, with subsequent directives to be communicated.”
Highlighting the scale of the initiative, Girinath outlined plans for a zone-wise survey of commercial shops lining the city’s 1,400 km of arterial and sub-arterial roads.
“Following the survey, notices will be dispatched to non-compliant shops, emphasising the need for 60 percent Kannada language utilisation. Subsequently, a grace period until 28 February, 2024, will be granted for the implementation of Kannada language nameplates, with compliance submissions directed to the respective zone commissioners,” stated the BBMP commissioner.
Emphasising the enforcement of the government order and corporation circular, Girinath stressed stringent measures, stating, “Strict repercussions await those who fail to display Kannada nameplates at their shop fronts. Legal action will be initiated against non-compliant establishments, with suspension and eventual licence cancellation in accordance with the law.”
Addressing the escalating mall culture in the city, Girinath urged immediate consultations, stressing the need for Kannada-language adoption on nameplates within 15-20 days.
He cautioned, “Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action in line with the law.”
Over the last few days, non-Kannadiga traders were allegedly harassed and abused by the members of KRV with demands to increase the representation of the regional language on signboards or nameplates.
Activists of the KRV have embarked on a campaign, distributing pamphlets and using loudspeakers to criticise establishments displaying signboards in English or Hindi.
The Kannada activists demanded for a substantial 65 percent dedication of signboard space to Kannada, as outlined in the BBMP trade guidelines.
Rallies conducted by KRV activists echoed through the commercial hubs of Gandhinagar, Chickpete, Balepete, Cottonpete, BVK Iyengar Road, Avenue Road, and surrounding areas recently.
R Thyagaraj, the Chickpete president of the KRV, clarified the outfit’s stance, stating: “We have given them a month to change the name boards, emphasising the necessity for shop names and logos in Kannada to dominate the signage.”
The campaign, spearheaded by the TA Narayan Gowda faction of the KRV, extends beyond these central districts to locations such as Koramangala, BTM Layout, Madiwala, Jayanagar, Vijayanagar, HSR Layout, Lingarajpuram, Hebbal, and Rajajinagar.
Notably, the presence of policemen accompanying the activists, despite their silence in the face of abusive language, has left traders disheartened.
The police have asserted that their focus is on maintaining law and order amidst the evolving linguistic landscape of the city.
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