Hindi Diwas Event in Bengaluru Called Off After Protests By KaRavE Women, Ignites Debate Over Language Issue

A Hindi Diwas event in Bengaluru was canceled on Monday after women activists from Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Narayangowda faction) protested. They said the program, organised by the Railway Department at Desi Masala Hotel in Gandhinagar, was promoting Hindi over Kannada.

The activists asked, "Why not in Kannada?" They raised slogans against Hindi imposition, removed banners from the stage, and insisted the program be stopped. Upparpet police briefly detained the protesters. "We won't let Hindi rule here," the women shouted.

Hindi Diwas, celebrated on September 14, marks the day in 1949 when Hindi became one of India's official languages. The day is meant to promote Hindi through cultural events across India.

The Bengaluru protest sparked debate on social media. Many people said regional languages like Kannada are often ignored. One post said, "Hindi Diwas sometimes feels like a threat to regional languages." Another added, "Kannadigas are standing up against Hindi imposition."

This protest shows the ongoing discussion about promoting Hindi while protecting regional languages like Kannada.