High-Level Meeting in Karnataka by CM Siddaramaiah to Address Kannada Signboard Controversy

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is set to convene a crucial meeting on Thursday to discuss the ongoing controversy surrounding the mandatory installation of Kannada signboards at shops and offices in the state. Officials from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the primary civic body in Bengaluru, and the state Culture Department will participate in the meeting, according to reliable sources.

The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) voiced concerns on Wednesday over the BBMP’s directive mandating ’60 per cent Kannada’ letters on all name boards for commercial establishments. While affirming their commitment to follow government rules, the FKCCI requested the state government and BBMP not to take any punitive action until the specified deadline of February 28, 2024.

In a statement, FKCCI President Ramesh Chandra Lahoti urged the government to prevent any vigilante actions and harassment of trade and commercial establishments during this period.

On the preceding day, Bengaluru Police detained members of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), a pro-Kannada activist group, who staged a protest demanding the implementation of Kannada signboards at businesses and enterprises across Karnataka. The activists insisted on compliance with the state’s requirement that 60 per cent of signboards be in Kannada.

During the protest, KRV members reportedly vandalized shops displaying English signboards, breaking flower pots and spraying black ink on the signage outside the Mall of Asia in Bangalore. KRV State President T A Narayan Gowda led the public awareness protest, emphasizing the need for businesses to adopt Kannada signages.

Gowda highlighted the state law mandating the use of Kannada letters on 60 per cent of signboards for shops and commercial establishments. He emphasized that businesses operating in Bengaluru should adhere to this requirement or consider relocating to other states.

The high-level meeting convened by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah aims to address the concerns raised by various stakeholders and find a resolution to the contentious issue of language representation on commercial signboards in Karnataka.