To encourage the use of Kannada, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Thursday the implementation of an ordinance requiring that 60% of space on signboards and nameplates be allocated to the Kannada language, starting from February 28, 2024.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah (PC: The Hindu)
Amendment to KLCDA-2022:
An amendment to the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act (KLCDA)-2022 is proposed. The government intends to revise section 17(6) which was initially enacted by the previous BJP government on March 10, 2023. This section currently specifies that fifty per cent of the space on signboards and nameplates should be in Kannada, while the remaining portion can be in any other language, subject to the government or local representatives' approval.
ಕನ್ನಡ ಭಾಷಾ ಸಮಗ್ರ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಅಧಿನಿಯಮ 2022ರ ಸೆಕ್ಷನ್‌ 17 (6) ರ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಅಥವಾ ಸ್ಥಳೀಯ ಪ್ರಾಧಿಕಾರದ ಅನುಮೋದನೆಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ವಾಣಿಜ್ಯ ಕೈಗಾರಿಕೆ, ವ್ಯಾಪಾರ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆ, ಸಮಾಲೋಚನಾ ಕೇಂದ್ರಗಳು, ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಗಳು, ಪ್ರಯೋಗಾಲಯಗಳು, ಮನೋರಂಜನಾ ಕೇಂದ್ರಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಹೋಟೆಲ್‌ ಮುಂತಾದವುಗಳ ಹೆಸರನ್ನು ಪ್ರದರ್ಶಿಸುವ ಫಲಕಗಳ…— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) December 28, 2023
Source: X @siddaramaiah
Chief Minister's Directive:
Following a discussion with officials from the Kannada and Culture Department and Bengaluru civic agencies, Siddaramaiah stressed the importance of complying with the new regulations. He appealed to organizations and activists to avoid resorting to vigilantism, highlighting that there would be repercussions for any breaches.
ಶಾಂತಿಯುತವಾದ ಪ್ರತಿಭಟನೆ ಮಾಡಲು ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ವಿರೋಧ ಇಲ್ಲ. ನಮಗೆ ಪ್ರಜಾಪ್ರಭುತ್ವದಲ್ಲಿ, ಸಂವಿಧಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ನಂಬಿಕೆ ಇದೆ.
ಆದರೆ ಕಾನೂನಿಗೆ ವಿರುದ್ಧವಾಗಿ ಯಾರಾದರೂ ನಡೆದುಕೊಂಡರೆ ಅದನ್ನು ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಸಹಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟವಾಗಿ ಹೇಳ ಬಯಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.
3-3-2022ರಲ್ಲಿ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಉಚ್ಛನ್ಯಾಯಾಲಯವು ಪ್ರತಿಭಟನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಫ್ರೀಡಂ…— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) December 28, 2023
Source: X @siddaramaiah
Recent Protests and Vandalism:
The decision comes in the wake of intense demonstrations on December 27 by pro-Kannada factions advocating for increased prominence of the language on signboards. In response, the Bengaluru Police apprehended 700 protestors, including Karnataka Rakshana Vedike convener TA Narayana Gowda, who emphasized the necessity for 60% of signboards to be in Kannada. Any failure to adhere to this requirement would lead to operational restrictions.
#WATCH | Police detained members of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, protesting to deliver messages to owners of many malls, shops, commercial buildings, companies and factories, especially multinational companies to install Kannada sign boards and give more visibility to the Kannada… pic.twitter.com/tRjsPidLbB— ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2023
Source: X ANI
Conclusion:
The language dispute in Karnataka highlights the government's strong dedication to promoting the prominence of Kannada. As the state eagerly awaits the execution of the new ordinance, it is requested that businesses, institutions, and establishments warmly embrace this change. The emphasis on Kannada aligns with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's previous assertion that all residents of the state should strive to learn and speak Kannada. Let us together take this harmonious step towards fostering linguistic unity and preserving our rich cultural heritage in Karnataka.
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