Karnataka’s 60% Kannada signage rule sparks fresh clash in Bengaluru: what’s at stake

Karnataka’s enforcement of the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development (Amendment) Act, 2024, which mandates that 60% of all commercial, industrial, institutional, and public signboards be in Kannada, has sparked fresh controversy in Bengaluru’s Begur area.

A viral 44-second video shows a heated confrontation between a shop owner and an elderly man over an English-only signboard. The woman accused the man of 'torture' for demanding compliance with the Kannada signage rule.

“The man confronted her, demanding to change the signboard to comply with Kannada language rules,” highlighting the tensions around language enforcement.

This incident has reignited broader discussions about linguistic identity and the preservation of Kannada in Karnataka. The BBMP rule aims to promote the local language but has been at the center of several disputes.

“The Kannada Language Comprehensive Development (Amendment) Act, 2024 requires that 60 percent of all commercial, industrial, institutional, and public signboards in Karnataka be in Kannada,” underscoring the legal framework behind the enforcement.

The viral nature of the video on social media has brought renewed attention to the challenges faced by businesses and residents in balancing language compliance with commercial expression.

As Karnataka pushes to preserve its linguistic heritage, the clash in Bengaluru exemplifies the ongoing friction between cultural preservation and modern commercial realities.

A viral clash in Bengaluru’s Begur area over Karnataka’s 60% Kannada signage rule has reignited debates on linguistic identity. The Kannada Language Comprehensive Development (Amendment) Act, 2024 mandates 60% of commercial signboards be in Kannada, sparking tensions between shop owners and local enforcers.