As Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah warns protesters in Bengaluru, here is what 60% Kannada rule means

Following the rule, February 28, 2024, was set as the deadline to change all the nameplates of the shops. Failure to adhere to the rule after the deadline may lead to the closure of commercial establishments and their trade licenses getting cancelled.

Additionally, the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) on Wednesday asked the authorities to take no action before the deadline. The FKCCI stated that they will ask all their members to follow the 60% Kannada rule, while the government should not take any action before the given deadline.

In the meantime, the pro-Kannada activist group, KRV organised a protest in the city, damaging shops for not prominently featuring the Kannada language. Some of the activists tore down the English nameplates, while others sprayed black ink on the boards, reported India Today.

As per the reports, several shop owners claimed they were not even aware that the 60% Kannada rule was a BBMP rule. According to a Hindustan Times report, the KRV president, TN Narayan Gowda mentioned that the stores that do not want Kannada names on their signboards should move out of Karnataka.

He said, “People from various states are doing business in Bengaluru. But they don't put Kannada nameplates on their shops. They are only putting up the nameplates of their shops in English. If they want to stay back in Bengaluru, then they have to put nameplates on their shops in Kannada”

Following the violent protest, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “I don't know what they are doing. I have got information that Narayana Gowda is protesting about having Kannada nameplates. We will take action against those who took the law into their own hands and went against the law”.