Karnataka Guv sends ordinance on 60% use of Kannada in banners back to govt

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.

However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the Governor has sent the ordinance back to the government, and wants a Bill to be placed before the Legislature and passed, considering that the Legislature session is round the corner.

The Karnataka Cabinet had on January 5, given its approval to an ordinance to amend the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act that mandates 60 per cent use of the state’s language in signages.

As of now, the law requires the use of Kannada language in the upper half of signboards, displaying the names of businesses.

The government had decided to take the ordinance route in the wake of violent protests by pro-Kannada organisations targeting businesses and establishments in Bengaluru for not giving prominence to Kannada.

Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar requested the Governor to reconsider the decision and give his assent to the ordinance. The Budget session of the Karnataka Legislature is scheduled to be held from February 12 to 23.