Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar, expressed strong disapproval of the recent acts of vandalism targeting shops in Bengaluru by pro-Kannada groups. He has guaranteed government protection for these establishments. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of all commercial entities following the ‘60% Kannada’ rule on their signage boards.
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike State President T A Narayan Gowda led a protest to raise public awareness.
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What exactly is the havoc that is caused in Karnataka?
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), a group supporting Kannada, had a big protest in Bengaluru, asking that all businesses in Karnataka use Kannada on their signs. They insisted on meeting the government’s 60% Kannada nameplate rule. The protest, led by KRV state president TA Narayan Gowda, became violent when some activists damaged English signboards.
People from the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike damaged flower pots and vandalized signboards in English outside the Mall of Asia in Bengaluru by breaking them and spraying black ink on some.
Today, Gowda emphasized that folks from other states running businesses in Karnataka must have Kannada signboards. He pointed out that many businesses in Bangalore only display English nameplates and insisted that to stay in Bangalore, they should either add Kannada nameplates or relocate to other states, as per the 60 percent Kannada text requirement by Karnataka’s government.
“We’re holding a big protest today because people aren’t following the rules. Even if the police try to stop us, we won’t give up. We’ll keep protesting until our requests are met,” he explained.
Talking about the Mall of Asia in Bengaluru, he mentioned, “We asked them to put up a sign in Kannada, but they ignored us. So, we’re fighting for it. Today, the police are protecting the mall, but who will protect them tomorrow? Our activists will keep protesting until they listen to us.”
Recently, Tushar Giri Nath, the chief commissioner of BBMP, said that all stores must have 60% of their signs in Kannada. If they don’t follow this rule by February 28, they’ll face legal action.
Tushar Giri Nath mentioned that the city has 1400 km of main and sub-roads, and they plan to survey all shops along these roads by zones. Shops not using 60% Kannada language will receive a notice. After that, they have until February 28 to add Kannada language nameplates and inform the zone commissioners about their compliance.
Chief of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and 28 Others Taken Into Custody
T.A. Narayana Gowda, along with 28 members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, faced arrest following allegations of vandalizing and causing damage to English signboards and commercial properties. Their protest aimed to emphasize the use of Kannada language on nameplates in Bengaluru. Gowda, taken from his home early morning, appeared before the judge and was remanded to judicial custody until January 10. Subsequently, he and fellow Kannada activists were transferred to the Central Jail in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Gowda initiated a campaign named “Maha Abhiyan,” urging a 60% emphasis on the Kannada language on signage across commercial structures and establishments. A large rally was orchestrated by the Vedike, but it escalated into chaos as Kannada activists engaged in the destruction and defacement of English nameplates, signboards, and advertising posters.
The government made a rule to focus on using Kannada on signboards, setting a deadline of February 28. Narayana Gowda, the Vedike President, praised activists for removing English signs. He warned that if English signs weren’t replaced by February 28, a stronger protest would be organized.
After getting arrested, Narayana Gowda told the media that the Congress government, specifically Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara, had treated him and others unfairly, saying they were used and subjected to injustice. He expressed that he hadn’t experienced such mistreatment before.
Following the arrest, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike organized a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru to oppose the detention of Vedike President Gowda and 28 others. Security was increased around the Central prison due to a large gathering of Kannada activists expressing their discontent near the prison.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, reacting to vandalism and the call for more Kannada prominence in Bengaluru, said in New Delhi that he doesn’t support violence but supports the idea of having more Kannada on nameplates and signboards. He questioned why shopkeepers only use English on their signs, emphasizing that it’s not England, and suggested they consider the sentiments and importance of using Kannada.
The Phoenix Mall of Asia recently stated that it’s committed to following state rules by adding Kannada signs. This move shows the mall’s dedication to following the law and respecting the local culture. The inclusion of Kannada signs is a clear sign of their commitment to local guidelines. Some Kannada activists had claimed the mall didn’t give enough importance to the local language and raised concerns on Wednesday.
