Ordinance to enforce 60% Kannada signage? Here’s what Siddaramaiah said… 

Karnataka is all set to pass an ordinance directing all commercial establishments to use signboards and nameplates with at least ‘60 per cent Kannada signage’ on them very soon, according to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, doubling down on a fractious language issue that sparked violent protests by a fringe group two days back.

Here’s what CM Siddaramaiah said on Kannada signage row:

Amid the same, the chief minister met top officials from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the Department of Kannada and Culture, condemning the vandalism of shops and establishments in Bengaluru. He also said 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,” Siddaramaiah said after the meeting.

Kannada boards are a must?

“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.

Notably, this big announcement came just a day after a massive riot erupted by a fringe group, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Narayana Gowda faction) across commercial neighbourhoods in Bengaluru, attacking several shops in the markets and business hubs, smashing and blackening signboards.

Will Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act, 2022 be revised?

The Karnataka government has announced plans to amend language guidelines for signboards of commercial establishments, in light of recent protests demanding prominence for Kannada. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act, 2022 provision will be revised through an ordinance.

The move comes after the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) requested the government to not take coercive action against entities until the February 28, 2024 deadline stipulated under the law.

FKCCI president Ramesh Chandra Lahoti appealed for a time until the cut-off date and urged against harassment of trade outlets.

What were the laws in the BJP regime?

Under the existing norm mandated by the previous BJP regime, commercial setups must allocate equal space to Kannada and other languages on signboards and nameplates. This 50:50 ratio triggered discontent among pro-Kannada groups.

Siddaramaiah stated that during his earlier tenure, a 2018 circular prescribed 60 per cent space for Kannada and 40 per cent for other languages. The government now intends to formalize this distribution through an amendment to Section 17(6) of the Act.

Will Kannada language row be effected through ordinance?

Since the assembly is not in session currently, the change is likely to be effected through an ordinance. The CM asserted all establishments including shops, malls, hotels and hospitals must comply by February 28 when the amended rule comes into force.

‘Not to take laws into own hands’

Siddaramaiah cautioned against taking the law into their own hands, though acknowledging citizens' right to peaceful protests. His administration will uphold democracy and the constitution, while violation of legal provisions will attract consequences, he underlined.

The emotive language question has frequently stirred public sentiments and agitations in Karnataka. The revised 60:40 allocation aims to affirm primacy to the state's official language on signages.

Siddaramiah advises businesses to follow rules

The CM urged businesses to proactively follow the new mandate and alter existing boards accordingly. He assured support to law-abiding entities during this transition.

References were also made to the recent arrest of pro-Kannada activists involved in vandalism during protests demanding the implementation of the 50 per cent norm. The chief minister then emphasised citizens cannot become arbiters of law themselves.

Congress vs BJP: Are arrests justified? 

Deputy CM DK Shivakumar echoed similar views, saying violence and property damage will not be condoned despite the right to demonstrate. However, senior BJP leader KS Eshwarappa opposed the arrests, asserting the pro-Kannada stance was justified.

As the state government prepares to amend the controversial language ratio through an ordinance, it faces twin challenges of upholding the law while addressing linguistic sentiments. The coming days will test its balancing act on this sensitive issue.