Bengaluru Kannada language row: As the language row in Karnataka saw another twist with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) directing all businesses to have 60 per cent Kannada signages, pro-Kannada groups held violent protests at various parts in the state capital on Wednesday demanding immediate implementation.

Protests were also held at the Kempegowda International Airport. Visuals from Wednesday showed men, some in yellow and red scarfs (the colours of the Kannada flag) storming the streets and tearing down English signage.

One video showed a man attacking the English signboard of a real estate firm, as truckloads of men in red and yellow scarfs drive past.

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The protesters demanded the immediate implementation of the order by the city’s civic body, which directs all businesses to have 60 per cent of their signs in Kannada. As the protestors vandalised banners, a few of them were detained by the city police.

The order was issued a few days back after a meeting with the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, seen by some as a right-wing group pushing the language row.

BBMP chief Tushar Giri Nath said commercial stores in the civic body’s jurisdiction had till February 28 to comply, failing which they could face legal action, including suspension of business licences.

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Kannada language row

The language row is back in focus after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in October that “everyone living in this state should learn to speak Kannada”. “We are all Kannadigas. People speaking different languages have settled in this Kannada land since the unification of Karnataka. Everyone living in this state should learn to speak Kannada,” he had said.

During his earlier stint as the Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah had pushed for wider use of Kannada. A government body set up to promote Kannada had then given an ultimatum to bank officials to learn Kannada within six months. It was during the Congress veteran’s last tenure that Hindi names of Bengaluru metro stations were targeted, smeared with black ink and covered with tape.