Union Minister Joshi Condemns Violence, Supports Vernacular Signages in Karnataka

In a statement on Wednesday, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi expressed his non-endorsement of violence but affirmed his support for the demand that shop signages in Karnataka primarily feature the local language.

Following a series of incidents where pro-Kannada groups engaged in destructive acts in Bengaluru, Joshi, the Member of Parliament from Dharwad, raised concerns about the prevalent use of English-only signages by shopkeepers.

In an interview to NDTV, Joshi emphasized the importance of making signs accessible to everyone, noting that not everyone can read English. He suggested a multilingual approach, advocating for signages in both Kannada and another language, such as Hindi.

When questioned about the potential impact of sub-nationalism on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Joshi acknowledged the disapproval of violence but urged shopkeepers to comprehend the sentiments and necessities behind the demand for vernacular signages.

Bengaluru’s civic rules stipulate that 60 percent of a signage should be in the state’s vernacular language. However, numerous shops, particularly in malls, have reportedly disregarded this regulation. Consequently, pro-Kannada groups took action, vandalizing over 20 shops in areas like MG Road, Brigade Road, Lavelle Road, St Marks Road, and even staging protests at the Kempegowda International Airport, reported NDTV.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who had previously stirred the language debate by asserting that everyone in the state should learn Kannada, acknowledged the recent developments. While condemning violence, he recognized the underlying concerns and sentiments prompting the demand for vernacular signages.