Kannada language row intensifies, CM Siddaramaiah promises to bring in ordinance

This came after the language issue triggered violent protests by "pro-Kannada activists" a day ago.

The CM met officials from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the department of kannada and culture, condemned the vandalism of shops and establishments in Bengaluru, and said that the new ordinance will be in place by February 28, 2024.

"I have directed the officials of BBMP and the culture department to pass an ordinance and implement the 60% Kannada rule on all nameplates. Rules will be formed, and they will be notified to everyone," he said after the meeting. "Kannada boards are a must. This is Kannada Nadu and the boards should be in Kannada here. We are not opposed to other languages, but Kannada should be prominent,” he added.

The announcement came a day after Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Narayana Gowda faction), ran riot across commercial neighbourhoods in Bengaluru, attacking stores in key markets and business hubs, smashing and blackening signboards.

Siddaramaiah said the government plans to amend section 17(6) of the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act (KLCDA) - 2022, which was enacted by the previous BJP government just ahead of the assembly elections. The proposed amendment aims to modify the provision related to the allocation of space on signboards and nameplates for information in Kannada.

The CM said that section 17(6) of the act currently stipulates that commercial entities, institutions, hospitals, laboratories, entertainment centres, hotels, etc., must allocate half of the space on signboards and nameplates for information in Kannada, with the remaining space available for any other language.

In his previous stint, he added, he had issued a circular in 2018, which had said that 60% of the space on nameplates and signboards should be in Kannada.

Won't let pro-Kannada activists take law into their hands: DK Shivakumar

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said he supports the cause of the pro-Kannada activists but won’t accept them taking the law into their own hands. He added, “It is the responsibility of all of us to protect our language. I have a lot of respect for pro-Kannada activists. But the government won’t tolerate it if they take the law into their hands.”

DK Shivakumar said the pro-Kannada activists are allowed to communicate their demands for the 60 per cent order but "there is a limit to it". "This affects the reputation of Karnataka," he added. Shivakumar said he had spoken in favour of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike chief Narayana Gowda when a complaint was lodged against the activist. Karnataka Rakshana Vedike led the recent rampage on non-Kannada signboards in Bengaluru.

"I would like to tell Narayana Gowda that he can’t take the law into his hands. We are all Kannadigas and our government is also committed to its cause. The Chief Minister has sent out a very clear instruction to use Kannada in government documents. The pro-Kannada fighters have the right to protest peacefully but not violently,” said Shivakumar.

Asked about Narayana Gowda’s threat that he would teach a lesson to the Congress party in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, he said, “I won’t say that there was no support of pro-Kannada protesters in our victory. But we won’t give them a licence to do whatever they want. Businesses have come here and invested money, and they can’t be threatened like this.