Relief for Karnataka Shops as '60% Kannada Signage' Deadline Extended by 2 Weeks

Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday announced that the Congress government has decided to extend the deadline for ‘60% signage in Kannada rule’ by two more weeks.

“Considering that it takes time to change the signage, Karnataka Govt has decided to extend the deadline given to commercial establishments by 2 more weeks so that the 60% signage in Kannada rule can be followed,” Shivakumar posted on X (formerly Twitter).

“It is important that we uphold our mother tongue in utmost respect, therefore we expect this law will be duly followed, and we shall see compliance to it by the end of the two-week extended period,” he added.

A local report had stated that the rush for Kannada name boards intensified on Saturday after videos of a few BBMP pourakarmikas pulling down English name boards of commercial establishments on Thambuchettypalya Road in the eastern part of the city went viral.

A report in Times of India quoted owner of Signageer in Yelachennahalli, Zubair Ahmed Khan, who spoke about how the given time was too short for the change to be reflected.

“Everyone has agreed to adhere to the rules and make the changes reflected in their signage, but the deadline given is a little hard to meet for everyone. We get at least 15 orders per day and it is very hectic to complete them in time. Labourers feel pressured to get done with the work,” he was quoted as saying.

The report further stated that the cost of the signage, making new ones and modifying the existing ones, has gone up by around 35% for commercial establishments.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah had in December said that the state’s Congress government was committed to those born, raised, and living in the state. He mandated that commercial establishments must have 60 per cent of signs in Kannada, instructing compliance before February 28.

“Let’s follow the rule and be proud Kannadigas,” he had posted on social media site X.

Groups of Kannada activists, affiliated with the Narayan Gowda faction of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike outfit, were earlier this year seen chucking stones and damaging properties, while pulling down English signboards of businesses not using Kannada.