Karnataka state is now seeing a new row about using Kannada language at least 60% on name boards of companies and businesses. The state has ordered for businesses and companies to retain 60% of Kannada language in their name boards, officially. Now, several people have started demanding settlers in Karnataka to learn Kannada language and speak in it.
They have started agitating against settlers using their mother tongue predominantly. TA Narayana Goud, President of “Karnataka Rakshana Vedike”, conduct rally on 27th December in Yelahanka suburb and during his rally, several agitators have damaged name boards of several businesses in English. They have even damaged name plates on private properties like houses in English during the rally.
Due to this damage to property, Bengaluru Magistrate Court has sent TA Narayana and 29 other agitators for 14 days judicial remand. CM Siddharamaiah in response to this row, announced that name boards, plates should be in Kannada. Deputy CM DK Shivakumar has stated that official communication from Karnataka Government will be mostly, that is, 60% in Kannada.
He also announced that Karanataka Government is with Kannada language agitators for preservation of the language. He requested agitators for peaceful and lawful agitation. He stated that government and CM are clear on their stance. He affirmed that while they are pro Kannada language preservation, they would not allow agitators to take law into their hands.
He stated that they would not permit any violence and won’t leave violators to scot free. CM Siddaramaiah welcomed investors and businesses from other states but asked them to adhere to condition of using Kannada in their daily communication post the row.