Bengaluru: Commercial establishments, industries, hospitals, institutions and organisations will now have to have 60 per cent Kannada on the signboards and nameplates. The nod was given by the Karnataka Cabinet on Friday to the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development (Amendment) ordinance. 

KRV protests, demanding 60% allocation of Kannada language signboards

The move comes after Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said the government would enact an ordinance to ensure compliance last month. The CM was reacting to large-scale vandalism in Bengaluru by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) targetting shops and businesses without Kannada signboards. Condemning the vandalism, CM Siddaramaiah said, "We are not opposed to protests. We will not oppose anyone who raises their voice against injustice or seek justice, but will take action against those who take the law into their hands."

The KRV had organised multiple protests, demanding a 60 per cent allocation of space on signboards for displays in the Kannada language.

Furthermore, the cabinet approved 43 development projects in Bengaluru city, with a cumulative value of Rs 800 crore, to be undertaken by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).