Bengaluru, Following recent acts of vandalism in Bengaluru, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah held a crucial meeting with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials and the Department of Kannada and Culture. In response to the incidents, the CM announced plans to pass an ordinance directing commercial establishments to display nameplates with 60% Kannada content.
“I 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,” stated Siddaramaiah after the meeting. Urging business owners not to panic, he emphasized the importance of adhering to the local language guidelines.
Siddaramaiah condemned the recent vandalism by Karnataka Rakhsana Vedike and emphasized that law and order should not be taken into citizens’ hands. “Nobody should take law and order into their own hands. We do not encourage any kind of vandalism in Bengaluru,” he added.
Home Minister G Parameshwara mentioned that an amendment to Section 17, Sub-section 6, is needed to decide the language percentage on nameboards. The proposed 60:40 ratio (Kannada to a secondary language) will be introduced through an ordinance.
Earlier this week, BBMP had already issued directives to commercial establishments, instructing them to install signage boards with 60% Kannada. BBMP Commissioner Tushar Girinath outlined the survey process for arterial and sub-arterial roads, with notices to be issued to non-compliant shops, allowing them until February 28 to implement Kannada language nameplates.
