'Can't Tolerate Anyone Taking...': K'taka Dy CM Shivakumar On Pro-Kannada Activists' Rampage

On Wednesday, members of Kannada Raksha Vedhike went on a rampage tearing down English posters as they demanded that all the businesses and enterprises put up nameplates in Kannada

Pro-Kannada protestors vandalise bollboards in Bengaluru

Source : PTI

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said that everyone has a right to protest in a democracy but taking law into one’s own hands can’t be tolerated after pro-Kannada activists went on a rampage in Bengaluru. The demonstrators demanded that all businesses and enterprises in Karnataka put nameplates in Kannada. 

"In a democracy, everyone has the right to protest. We can't tolerate anyone taking the law into their hands. I am disturbed that they (pro-Kannada protesters) vandalised boards and establishments etc,” Shivakumar said while speaking to reporters. 

He also urged the businesses to obey the government’s order of displaying 60 per cent Kannada on their signboards. 

“We are committed to protecting the citizens of the state,” he added. 

#WATCH | Karnataka Deputy CM & State Congress chief DK Shivakumar says, "In a democracy, everyone has the right to protest. We can't tolerate anyone taking the law into their hands. I am disturbed that they (pro-Kannada protesters) vandalised boards & establishments etc. Please… pic.twitter.com/P6JtHTsXmg

— ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2023

On Wednesday, members of Kannada Raksha Vedhike went on a rampage tearing down English posters as they demanded that all the businesses and enterprises put up nameplates in Kannada across the state. 

The outfit held a demonstration last week as well outside shops in Bengaluru urging to prominently display Kannada, advocating for a minimum of 65 percent of the signage to be written in the local language.

The activists took out rallies in various parts of the city, especially in the business hubs such as MG Road, Brigade Road, Lavelle Road, UB City, Chamarajapet, Chickpet, Kempe Gowda Road, Gandhi Nagar, St Marks Road, Cunningham Road, Residency Road and Sadahalli Gate near Devanahalli.

They also expressed their displeasure by targeting numerous malls, shops, commercial buildings, companies, and factories, particularly multinational corporations.

The pro-Kannada activists emphasised that the visibility of Kannada on signboards is crucial for regional pride and identity and argued that Karnataka's culture lies in its language. 

They also advocated for the translation of brand logos in Kannada asserting that such measures would enhance a sense of community and inclusivity among the local population.