Bengaluru, December 13, 2025 – In a firm push towards linguistic pride and cultural preservation, Karnataka's Minister for Kannada and Culture, Shivaraj Tangadagi, announced on Friday that mandatory Kannada signboards will be enforced across all commercial establishments, industries, hospitals, and other institutions in the state within the next 15 days to one month.
Speaking during a legislative session in response to a query from MLC Umashree, Tangadagi emphasized the government's unwavering commitment to the initiative. "The government will not compromise on enforcing the mandatory use of Kannada across the state," he declared, highlighting the rapid progress already made in several districts.
### Swift Implementation Timeline and Mechanisms
The enforcement rules, which mandate a 60:40 ratio of Kannada to other languages on all signboards—with Kannada occupying the upper and larger portion—have been forwarded to the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department for final approval. Once cleared, a comprehensive statewide order will be issued, expected imminently.
To oversee compliance, a robust monitoring framework is being rolled out:
- A state-level committee, comprising the Minister, the Principal Secretary of the Kannada and Culture Department, and the Chairman of the Kannada Development Authority, will provide high-level oversight.
- District-level committees, led by Deputy Commissioners, will handle local enforcement.
- In Bengaluru, the capital and a hotspot for non-compliance issues, eight dedicated monitoring zones have been established, complete with a special inspection squad.
- Vehicles for inspections will be outsourced to ensure efficient coverage.
- An operational office for the monitoring cell is already functional, signaling the government's readiness to act.
Penalties for violations have been clearly outlined to deter non-compliance: a ₹5,000 fine for the first offense, escalating to ₹10,000 for the second, and ₹20,000 for each subsequent breach. Non-adherence could also jeopardize trade licenses, as previously warned by civic bodies like the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
### Success Stories and Path to Full Compliance
Tangadagi lauded the "highly successful" rollout of the Kannada signboard campaign in rural and semi-urban areas. Notably, 11 districts have achieved 100% compliance, while others hover between 80% and 90%. "The campaign has gained significant momentum, and we are on track to achieve full compliance statewide," he added.
This latest directive builds on the foundations laid by the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development (Amendment) Act, 2024, which was passed by the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in February 2024. The law, initially introduced as an ordinance in January 2024 amid protests by pro-Kannada groups like the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, requires 60% of signage space to be in Kannada for entities operating under government or local approvals. It applies to a wide array of establishments, including shops, hospitals, hotels, and multinational corporations.
The 2024 legislation marked a significant step in addressing long-standing grievances over the dominance of English and other languages on urban signboards, particularly in Bengaluru, where influx of migrants has fueled cultural tensions. Earlier this year, the government extended the mandate by requiring MNCs to display counts of Kannadiga employees on notice boards, further amplifying local employment concerns.
### Broader Implications and Stakeholder Reactions
While the minister's announcement has been welcomed by Kannada activists as a victory for regional identity, it has sparked debates on practicality for businesses, especially in cosmopolitan hubs like Bengaluru's IT corridor. Industry bodies have previously expressed concerns over implementation costs and potential disruptions, though Tangadagi dismissed such worries, stating that the rules are designed for seamless adoption.
Opposition leaders, including those from the BJP, had criticized the initial 2024 bill as "political drama," arguing it could alienate investors. However, with compliance rates climbing, the Congress-led government appears poised to leverage the policy as a cornerstone of its pro-Kannada agenda under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
As Karnataka races towards this linguistic milestone, all eyes will be on the coming weeks to see if the state can bridge the urban-rural divide in signage uniformity. For now, the message from Vidhana Soudha is clear: Kannada is not just a language—it's the state's cultural heartbeat.
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