'Use Tamil For Shop Signboards': Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Tells Traders

Many businesses currently display their names only in English, a practice not unique to Tamil Nadu but common in other southern states like Karnataka.

Stalin urged traders to prioritise ethical practices and compassion in their operations rather than focusing solely on profit. 

Source : File Photo

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday urged shops and commercial establishments in the state to ensure that Tamil, the local language, is prominently featured on their name boards. Speaking at a traders’ welfare meeting at the Secretariat, Stalin emphasised the importance of promoting Tamil in the commercial sector.

Tamil Nadu CM asserted the need for Tamil to be prominently visible in public spaces. He said that no one should be able to say that Tamil was not visible on the streets of Tamil Nadu. Further, he urged businesses to incorporate Tamil in their signage, as per a report on News Today.

Many businesses currently display their names only in English, a practice not unique to Tamil Nadu but common in other southern states like Karnataka. Stalin underscored the necessity of adhering to the requirement of using the local language on name boards to preserve and promote Tamil culture.

The Chief Minister also reassured that Tamil Nadu is a conducive environment for commercial activities promising support from the government for businesses. He pointed out the increase in membership of the traders' welfare union, which now includes 88,209 members, reflecting the growing community of traders in the state, reported Deccan Herald.

Stalin urged traders to prioritise ethical practices and compassion in their operations, rather than focusing solely on profit. 

Earlier, the Karnataka government introduced the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aimed at revising the existing 2022 Act to mandate the use of Kannada on business signboards. According to the bill's statement of objects and reasons, Kannada must occupy 60% of the space on signboards and be placed in the upper half of the name board. The move came after protests by pro-Kannada groups alleging neglect of the state's language in Bengaluru.