Bengaluru (Karnataka) : Pro-Kannada protesters went on the rampage in different parts of Bengaluru city and tore down signboards in other languages in support of their demand for using their local tongue in nameplates and advertisements on shops and commercial complexes.
The angry protesters directed their ire at those shops that have not strictly implemented the order of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for using 60 percent Kannada language in signage.
Today, a massive protest rally was held today by the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV)'s Narayana Gowda faction demanding that nameplates be installed in Kannada language all over Karnataka. The enraged activists have expressed their outrage by tearing down advertisements which are mostly in the English language.
The Kannada protesters' rally was begun from the Sadahalli toll in Devanahalli to reach Bengaluru's Cubbon Park. The protest rally started amid heavy police presence near the Sadahalli toll. Along the way, some activists raised slogans and removed the nameplates and advertisements that were there in front of shops and on the roads in English language. During this, a lighting board was broken near Bloom Hotel in Sadahalli.
What is Kannada Language Stir:- For several decades, the language enthusiasts and groups have been escalating their protests for the use of Kannada signage in Bengaluru city. This is because of the ever increasing use of English in the nameplates as the Karnataka capital has emerged as a cosmopolitan city over the years.
This time, the pro-Kannada protesters fixed December 27 as the deadline for the shops and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for full implementation of the order regarding use of 60 percent Kannada in their signboards. Accordingly, they launched fierce protests in the city. The nameplates in other languages were pulled down and damaged.
BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath, who had a recent meeting with KRV, said: "By February 28, necessary steps will be taken to install 60% Kannada language nameplates in the city." He said that a meeting will be held with all the zonal commissioners regarding the mandatory use of Kannada language in the nameplates of shop fronts, hotels, malls and other commercial outlets under the jurisdiction of the corporation and appropriate directions will be given.
Sensing trouble from the language protesters, security arrangements have been beefed up under the supervision of DCP Lakshmi Prasad. More than 500 police personnel including one ACP, 6 inspectors, and 12 sub-inspectors have been deployed to prevent any untoward incidents. Additional Commissioner Raman Gupta also visited the affected areas and he inspected the toll gate.
The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) activists expressed anger against those who did not put up Kannada nameplates. The police have made all preparations to stop the KRV protest rally. A barricade has already been placed on the Bengaluru Airport Road and four buses have been arranged to arrest the KRV workers.
Activists arrested:- KRV activists including their state president Narayana Gowda were taken into preventive custody by the police at Cubbon Park. The activists took strong objection, saying: 'We did not trespass into any shops, we were only doing the work of replacing English nameplates. But, the police have arrested us.'
Narayana Gowda said, "We are fighting a peaceful struggle. Nearly 100 percent of the police are Kannadigas. However, the police superiors from outside are working to suppress us by using the lower level officers. We talked to Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister at night. The rally has been allowed." He warned that if the police did not allow the rally, they themselves would be responsible for its consequences in Bengaluru. A barricade was placed on the Bengaluru Airport Road and four buses were arranged to arrest the KRV protesters.
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