Signboards Without 60% Kannada Display Removed By BBMP In Bengaluru

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has implemented a rule mandating prominent display of Kannada on commercial establishment name boards. This has led to the removal of non-compliant boards and the closure of some shops, notably on MG Road and Brigade Road.

A video showing BBMP workers removing name boards of commercial establishments is going viral on various social media. Pro-Kannada activists are urging for this enforcement to be applied statewide.

The language row took shape recently in Bengaluru and some other places across the state, wherein pro-Kannada group, the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), held violent protests and damaging properties in markets and business areas, particularly targeting signboards with majority non-Kannada writing. The group's actions, including vandalizing the newly opened Phoenix Mall of Asia, led to its closure until January 15 for traffic-related reasons. Subsequently, the police filed cases and arrested KRV activists.

Officials inspected over 200 commercial shops and found that a majority had complied with the order. However, at least 18 shops that did not comply faced temporary closure by officials.

On January 6, the Karnataka cabinet approved an ordinance enforcing 60 percent Kannada language on signboards of shops, enterprises, institutions, and other places. The Kannada Language Comprehensive Development (Amendment) ordinance mandates that all signboards and nameplates of commercial establishments, industries, hospitals, and organizations must display 60 percent Kannada language.

The Karnataka government will cancel licences of businesses with signage that does not include 60 percent Kannada, as disclosed in the Legislative Assembly following the passage of a related bill.

Presently, the law mandates the use of Kannada in the "upper-half portion" of business name boards, without specifying the percentage.