K’taka Guv sends ordinance on 60% use of Kannada in signboards back to govt

Bengaluru: Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has sent back an ordinance mandating 60 per cent use of Kannada in signboards of businesses and establishments, to the state government.

This was revealed by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday.

“We (the government) approved an ordinance on signboards. The governor has sent it back saying it should be passed in the assembly. He could have given his assent now. Giving protection and respect to Kannada is our government’s commitment,” Shivakumar said.

“No party has said anything, then why was it rejected?” he questioned.

The government pursued the ordinance following violent protests by pro-Kannada groups targeting businesses in Bengaluru for not prioritising the Kannada language on their signage.

Currently, the law mandates Kannada in the upper half of business signboards. The government’s move aimed to increase the use of Kannada further.