Karnataka government to promulgate ordinance on Kannada usage in signboards

Karnataka govt. to promulgate ordinance to bring clarity on Kannada usage in signboards by Feb. 28, 2024.

The Karnataka government has decided to promulgate an ordinance to bring more clarity on the usage of Kannada in signboards of shops, business establishments, government agencies, and others in the State. The decision comes a day after a protest by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) against not using Kannada on signboards degenerated into vandalism in the city.

After a meeting with all stakeholders on the subject, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said while the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act, 2022 mandated Kannada in signboards, there was no clarity. “A 2018 circular issued by the government had said signboards should have at least 60% Kannada and 40% in any other language. This clarity is not there in the new law. We will bring an ordinance to make the 60:40 Kannada-English ratio clear in the 2022 law. The government will also amend section (18) of the 2022 law to formulate fresh rules for usage of Kannada in signboards,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said. 

Following the ordinance, the rule will be implemented by February 28, 2024, the Chief Minister said. He said all private establishments must implement this rule and change their signboards accordingly by this deadline. 

While the city’s civic body had stipulated the 60:40 rule and set a February 28, 2024 deadline, it had come to light that the 2018 rule that had this ratio was stayed by the Karnataka High Court hearing a petition by Retailers Association of India in 2019. To overcome this hurdle, the ordinance will introduce the 60:40 rule in the 2022 law. 

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) led by T.A. Narayana Gowda, has taken up the campaign to ensure Kannada in signboards in the city for the past three months now. The Vedike held a protest rally in the city on Wednesday, December 27, which degenerated into vandalism. 

Mr. Siddaramaiah, who said the government was committed to implementing Kannada signboard rule, said they cannot condone violence. “Everybody has a right to hold a peaceful protest in a democracy. However, these protests need to adhere to some norms and have to be peaceful. For instance, the High Court has given a clear direction to ensure all protests are held only at Freedom Park. Whoever has taken law into their own hands and indulged in violence will be dealt seriously,” he said.