'Won't allow Hindi in Namma Metro,' Karnataka CM tells centre

#NammaMetroHindiBeda had become a massive online campaign with netizens opposing Hindi imposition

Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah on Friday told the Union government that Hindi signages will not be used in Namma Metro. In a letter addressed to Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Siddaramaiah has asked the centre to follow a 'persuasive approach rather than a mandatory one in the matter of the use of Hindi.'

The Karnataka Chief Minister has told the centre that there was a massive protest over Hindi usage in Bengaluru's Namma Metro. Highlighting the fact that financial contribution to the metro was more from Karnataka despite state and central governments holding equal equity, Siddaramaiah held that it was appropriate for State policies to be implemented in the project.

"The cultural aspirations and sentiments of the people of Karnataka need to be respected. Apart from the cultural need to give primacy to the language of the State. It is also practical to use those languages which local people can read and follow. It is not essential to use Hindi in signages as the commuters who use the metro are comfortable with regarding and understanding Kannada and English," the letter reads.

The letter comes as a massive victory to those opposing Hindi imposition in Bengaluru. Siddaramaiah has informed the centre that his government has asked BMRCL to temporarily re-design the signages and name boards in Metro stations, without using Hindi.

The letter comes at a time when the BJP in Karnataka has been put in a spot over Hindi imposition. Torn between the senior party leadership endorsing Hindi and sentiments of Kannadigas opposing the same, the BJP in the state is jittery. The Congress is cashing in on the BJP's discomfort over the issue.

OneIndia News