Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has pledged to introduce an ordinance necessitating commercial establishments to display name plates with a minimum of 60% Kannada content. This decision comes in the wake of recent incidents of vandalism in Bengaluru and aims to reinforce the prominence of the local language in signage across businesses.
During a high-level meeting with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials and the Department of Kannada and Culture, Siddaramaiah announced plans to pass an ordinance, directing businesses to adhere to the ‘60% Kannada’ rule on all nameplates.
“Rules will be formulated and notified to ensure that name plates prominently feature 60% Kannada. Establishments failing to comply by February 28 will be required to make the necessary changes,” stated the Chief Minister, urging businesses to abide by the forthcoming guidelines without panic.
Emphasizing the significance of prioritizing the local language, Siddaramaiah assured the safety of businesses while urging adherence to the state’s directives. He condemned the recent acts of vandalism by the Karnataka Rakhsana Vedike, asserting that no individual or group should take law and order into their own hands.
Supporting this initiative, Karnataka’s Home Minister G Parameshwara highlighted the existence of an act safeguarding the Kannada language and culture. He outlined the need for an amendment, particularly in section 17, sub-section 6, to regulate the percentage of language on name boards, proposing a 60:40 ratio favoring Kannada over secondary languages through the upcoming ordinance.
Earlier directives from the BBMP had already urged commercial entities to install signage boards featuring 60% Kannada. BBMP Commissioner Tushar Girinath revealed plans for comprehensive surveys of commercial establishments along the city’s main roads. Establishments failing to comply by February 28 will receive notices and requisite timelines for compliance, as specified by the respective zone commissioners.
The move to enforce the usage of Kannada on signage reflects the state government’s efforts to uphold and promote local language and culture, establishing a significant regulatory framework to ensure compliance by commercial entities within Karnataka.
Sources By Agencies