Karnataka Makes Kannada Labels Mandatory on All Products

In a significant move to promote the Kannada language and counter the perceived imposition of Hindi in South India, the Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government has issued an official circular mandating Kannada labels, names, and directions on all products manufactured within the state.

The Commerce and Industry Department Secretary, Umadevi, confirmed in the circular that all industrial and consumer products produced and sold in Karnataka must feature Kannada along with any other language. This directive aligns with the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act, 2022, which aims to strengthen the use of Kannada in business, production, and marketing within the state.

The circular emphasizes that for a language to thrive, it must be actively used in business and trade. To ensure the widespread use of Kannada, the state government has made it compulsory for product names and instructions to be displayed in Kannada. Government and private manufacturers will be subject to strict enforcement and monitoring to ensure compliance.

The decision follows Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's speech during the 69th Karnataka Rajyotsava, where he highlighted the lack of Kannada labels on products manufactured in the state. He had stated that products made in Karnataka, whether in the private or government sector, typically have labels only in English. With this initiative, the government aims to change that by making Kannada a mandatory language on all locally produced goods.

Language is an essential reflection of a region's culture, tradition, and identity. With the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act, 2022, coming into effect from March 12, 2024, the state has taken a decisive step to ensure Kannada's presence in business and trade. The directive makes it mandatory for all industrial and consumer products manufactured and sold in Karnataka to have Kannada labels and instructions alongside other languages.

Both government and private sector manufacturers are required to comply with this directive, which is expected to bolster Kannada's presence in daily commercial activities. By making the language more accessible in business, the government aims to strengthen Karnataka's linguistic heritage and ensure Kannada remains an integral part of the state's identity.