Simmering controversy over Kannada language, CM Siddaramaiah vows to introduce an ordinance

Karnataka’s chief minister, Siddaramaiah, doubled down on a contentious language issue that sparked violent protests by a fringe group a day ago. He announced on Thursday that the state will soon pass an ordinance requiring all commercial establishments to use signboards and nameplates with at least 60% Kannada signage on them.

The chief minister met with representatives from the Department of Kannada and Culture and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). He denounced the destruction of Bengaluru’s businesses and institutions and announced that the new legislation would be implemented by February 28, 2024.

“I’ve given the BBMP and cultural department officials instructions to draft an ordinance and apply the 60% Kannada requirement to all nameplates. Following the discussion, he said, “Rules will be developed and communicated to all parties involved.”

The Kannada boards are essential. The boards here should be in Kannada as this is Kannada Nadu. Although we have nothing against other languages, Kannada ought to be widely spoken,” he said.

The decision was made the day after vandals from the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike branch of the Narayana Gowda fringe linguistic group broke out in Bengaluru’s commercial neighborhoods, destroying businesses in important marketplaces and business districts and shattering and blackening signboards.

Government laws would be followed, the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) has reaffirmed. It did, however, ask that the state government wait until the deadline of February 28, 2024, before acting under the order. FKCCI President Ramesh Chandra Lahoti said in a statement, “We appeal to the government and BBMP not to initiate any action based on the aforementioned rule until the deadline of February 28, 2024, and also urge the government to ensure that no one takes the law into their own hands to harass trade and commercial establishments.”

The Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act (KLCDA) – 2022, which was passed by the previous BJP administration just before the assembly elections, would have section 17(6) amended, according to Siddaramaiah. The purpose of the proposed modification is to change the clause pertaining to the allotment of space for Kannada information on nameplates and signboards.

According to the CM, as of right now, commercial entities, institutions, hospitals, laboratories, entertainment centers, hotels, etc. are required by section 17(6) of the act to set aside half of the space on signboards and nameplates for Kannada-language information, with the remaining space being available for any other language.

He said that under his prior position, he had published a circular in 2018 stating that 60% of the text on nameplates and signboards have to be in Kannada.

We determined that the nameplates and signboards should be 60:40 in accordance with the earlier circular today, Thursday. We want to change section 17(6) of the aforementioned statute, as proposed by the Department of culture and Kannada,” he said.

Siddaramaiah directed authorities to prepare an ordinance, which is set to take effect on February 28, 2024, as the legislature is not in session. “The new ordinance is mandatory for all stores, businesses, hotels, malls, and hospitals,” he said.

In addition, he sent a strong message to those who participated in vandalism during the most recent demonstrations, stating that while the government encouraged nonviolent rallies in approved locations, any breaking of the law would not be accepted. The government’s adherence to democracy and the Constitution was emphasized by Siddaramaiah.

“People must abide by the rules, and those who do not will suffer the repercussions. I am making this extremely plain to everyone. I urge all organizations and activists to refrain from enforcing the law on their own.

In the past, massive demonstrations have been sparked by the delicate issue of language in Karnataka.

Siddaramaiah insisted that businesses abide by the rules established by the state government. Prioritizing the local language and emphasizing it on nameplates is crucial. By February 28th, owners who do not have 60% Kannada on their name boards are required to replace them. “You need to panic, but I assure you that all businesses are safe,” he said.

In response to the Bengaluru Police’s arrests, he said that people shouldn’t enforce the law on their own. He said, “Legal action will be taken against those who take the law into their own hands. We are not against anyone holding protests.”

Narayana Gowda, the leader of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, and 28 other people were detained by Bengaluru police on Wednesday for vandalizing stores in different parts of the city. They were taken to the Parappana Agrahara prison in Bengaluru and placed under judicial custody.

DK Shivakumar, the deputy chief minister, also advised demonstrators not to damage stores. In a democracy, protesting is open to everybody. But we cannot stand it when someone decides to become a lawmaker. The vandalism really bothers me. We have no issue with protestors asking store owners to enforce the ordinance. However, they are unable to impose their own laws. Every citizen must be protected by us. They are unable to deface the stores, he said.

However, KS Eshwarappa, a senior BJP leader, supported the demonstrators and demanded their quick release. “Pro-Kannada organizations are right to demand that companies operating in Karnataka have boards in Kannada, but why isn’t the Karnataka government enforcing this rule? Narayana Gowda should be freed; his arrest was incorrect. He has not done anything criminal, therefore I implore the chief minister to free him,” he said.