Karnataka Language Controversy: There was a lot of uproar on Wednesday when Union Minister Prahlad Joshi demanded that the sign boards of shops in Karnataka should be mainly in the local language. Here many pro-Kannada organizations vandalized shopping centers in different areas of the city. On the other hand, Union Minister Prahlad Joshi has also supported this demand. He said on Wednesday (27 December), “Although I do not agree with violence, I do agree with the demand that sign boards of shops in Karnataka should be mainly in the local language.”
Speaking to NDTV hours after pro-Kannada groups created a ruckus in Karnataka’s capital Bengaluru, the Dharwad MP asked “why do shopkeepers insist on writing signage only in English.” He said, “If violence has taken place then it cannot be approved but these people (shopkeepers) should also understand the local sentiment and requirement.” Prahlad Joshi further said, everyone should be able to read what is written on the board. Not everyone can read English, so what is the harm in writing in any other language like English or Hindi along with Kannada? This is not England.”
What are the rules regarding this?
In fact, according to civic rules in Bengaluru, 60 percent of the signage should be written in the local language of the state, but the rule is ignored in many shops, especially in malls. On Wednesday, more than 20 shops in the city that ignored this rule were vandalized by pro-Kannada groups.
#WATCH , Bengaluru: Kannada Raksha Vedhike holds a protest demanding all businesses and enterprises in Karnataka to put nameplates in Kannada. pic.twitter.com/ZMX5s9iJd0
— ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2023
The controversy started from here
The entire controversy is said to have started from a speech given by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in October, in which he had said that “every person living in this state should learn to speak Kannada.”
CM talked about strict action
On the other hand, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said that he is aware of today’s incident. We will take action against those who took law into their own hands and went against the law.”
Everyone will have to follow the rules till 28 February
At the same time, BBMP chief Tushar Giri Nath says that commercial shops under the jurisdiction of the civic body will have to follow the rules by February 28, failing which they may face legal action including suspension of business license.
Vandalism at these places including the airport
According to the information, this language dispute was fueled by the right-wing group Karnataka Rakshana Vedike on Wednesday. This organization emphasizes the compulsory use of Kannada. Its members also vandalized the Kempegowda International Airport and shopping centers located on MG Road, Brigade Road, Lavelle Road and St. Marks Road on Wednesday. KRV supporters damaged English-language signboards of shops and businesses.
The accused were taken into custody and released
Karnataka Police detained 700 protesters, including KRV convenor TA Narayana Gowda, and said other pro-Kannada organizations were also involved and are being searched. Bengaluru Police has registered four cases against members of pro-Kannada organizations in two police divisions. Although the protesters were detained under the Karnataka Police Act, they were released in the evening.
‘If you ignore Kannada, you will not be allowed to work’
TA Narayana Gowda said, “As per the rule, 60 percent signboards and nameplates should be in Kannada. We are not against any company or business, but if you are doing business in Karnataka then you have to respect our language. If you ignore Kannada or write Kannada in small letters, we will not let you work here.
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