Karnataka Govt to Bring Law to Enforce '60% Kannada' Rule Amid Massive Protests

The Karnataka government has decided to form a law for the mandatory adoption of the 60% Kannada nameplate rule. “We will set up a task force that will oversee the implementation of the Kannada name board,” said Shivraj Tangadagi, Minister for Kannada and Culture.

The move comes amid a massive rally organised by Pro-Kannada outfits in Bengaluru on Wednesday in support of sixty per cent signboards and logos in Kannada.

Earlier in the week, the Bengaluru civic body, in its latest directive, asked shops to ensure their signboards have at least 60% Kannada, fuelling the Hindi vs Kannada row in Karnataka.

Visuals from the rally earlier today showed men and women pulling apart individual English letter signages at Sadahalli toll plaza while sloganeering.

In a crackdown on vandals, the Bengaluru city police commissioner has requested complainants to come forward and file complaints against vandalism in nearby police stations.

Bengaluru police has taken notes of places vandalised in the city. CCTV footage will be scoured to nab the protesters involved in pelting stones and vandalising commercial establishments. More than 20 places in Bengaluru witnessed vandalism by members of Pro-Kannada organisations.

Tushar Giri Nath, the chief commissioner of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had stated that 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 on December 24, had 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.”

According to a TOI report, several traders’ associations in Chickpet have asked owners of shops and business establishments to put up signboards with 60% of signage in Kannada before the deadline of February 28.

On the other hand, a report in the Deccan Herald said the ’60 per cent Kannada on name boards’ rule has created confusion among traders as many of them are reportedly unaware of the notification.