Language lines: The tug-of-war between Kannada and Hindi in Bengaluru

Bengaluru's language debate: Kannada vs. Hindi, government mandates Kannada on signboards, auto drivers teach Kannada to passengers.

Bengaluru has historically been a melting pot of cultures, languages, and identities. Yet this diversity often sparks debate over language in the city. This year, it happened frequently, especially between Kannada and Hindi.

From the government’s order that insisted on signboards in Kannada to altercations between auto drivers and non-Kannada-speaking passengers, there was much heated debate around language, often turning uncivil in the online space. At the same time, a more conciliatory narrative also emerged, with initiatives to bridge the gap by teaching basic Kannada to “outsiders.”

The conflict between the government’s push to mandate Kannada usage on signboards and commercial establishments’ resistance dates back to 2008, but it was at the fag end of 2023 that it saw a new push. On December 27, 2023, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) took to the streets to “enforce” an announcement by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) that all signboards should have at least 60% Kannada and the rest in any language. It had set February 28, 2024, as the deadline to implement it. At least 50 complaints of vandalism had been lodged with the city police.

Heated debates and confusion on the issue continued in January 2024, and by February 28, most retailers and shopkeepers had made a change to their signboards.  

The move by the BBMP was supported by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who started his political career as the chairman of Kannada Kavalu Samiti, the precursor of the Kannada Development Authority. But he insisted that the definition of “Kannadiga” was broad. “We consider not only those who have been born here but all those who have come here to eke out a living as Kannadigas,” he said.

While policy issues were being sorted out, the issue of language saw many manifestations on the streets. There were many complaints of auto drivers insisting that passengers speak in Kannada and non-Kannada speakers being over-charged or refused rides. The auto driver-vs-non-Kannadiga debate got immense traction on social media. Auto drivers, on the other hand, insisted that they were simply talking in the only language they knew.

However, in October, an auto driver made a special effort to reach out to non-Kannadigas in the city. Azzu Sultan, an autorickshaw driver and content creator known as ‘Auto Kannadiga,’ started an initiative to teach basic Kannada phrases through a laminated placard stuck inside his auto. This helped his passengers navigate the city with simple Kannada. Azzu’s initiative was appreciated across the city, and by November, Bengaluru Traffic Police also partnered with him to install these placards in 5,000 autorickshaws.