Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Directs Implementation of 60% Kannada Nameplates Through Ordinance

The decision follows a pivotal high-level meeting led by CM Siddaramaiah, focusing on the installation of Kannada nameplates in front of shops and offices across the state.

The meeting saw the active participation of officials from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the Culture Department. ( Image Source :X/@ANI )

In a significant development, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced that businesses are required to have 60% Kannada language nameplates. An ordinance on the same lines is also expected to be notified soon. The decision follows a pivotal high-level meeting led by CM Siddaramaiah, focusing on the installation of Kannada nameplates in front of shops and offices across the state. The meeting saw the active participation of officials from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the Culture Department.

According to ANI, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, "I have asked officials of Kannada and Culture department to bring an ordinance and implement 60% Kannada nameplates and 40% other language nameplates and the same will be notified and rules will be formed."

"I request companies, organisations and other shops to change their nameplates before February 28, 2024. People need not to be panic," he said.

"I have asked officials of Kannada and Culture department to bring an ordinance and implement 60% Kannada nameplates and 40% other language nameplates and the same will be notified and rules will be formed. I request companies, organisations and other shops to change their… pic.twitter.com/SSUkE7P2o9

— ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2023

 

Further, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara noted that there was already an act to protect Kannada language and culture.

He said, "There is already an act to protect Kannada language and culture. There is an amendment required to Section 17, sub-section 6, wherein the percentage (of language) has to be decided, like the name boards etc. The 60:40 (Kannada to a secondary language) ratio will be brought in by an ordinance."

Earlier, Kannada Raksha Vedhike organized a protest and tore down the name boards of businesses in Bengaluru that failed to put nameplates in Kannada. The activists asserted that business establishments were "undermining the official language of Karnataka, which is Kannada."