Multinational companies (MNCs) operating in Karnataka will now have to adhere to new regulations requiring them to display the number of Kannadigas they employ on notice boards at their respective offices, according to Shivaraj S. Tangadagi, the Minister for Backward Class Development, and Kannada and Culture in Karnataka. This announcement, made on Wednesday, underscores the state government’s commitment to promoting the use of the Kannada language and ensuring greater representation of Kannadigas in the workforce.
Tangadagi emphasized that failure to comply with this language requirement could result in severe consequences, including the cancellation of licenses, a measure previously stated by the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government. The recent amendment to the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act of 2022 extends its provisions to various establishments, encompassing commercial, industrial, and business entities, as well as trusts, counseling centers, hospitals, laboratories, amusement centers, and hotels.
The Karnataka legislative assembly passed a bill on February 15, reinforcing the mandate that Kannada signage must occupy 60 percent of the space on signboards of businesses and establishments. Non-compliance with this requirement could lead to the revocation of licenses, as reiterated by the government during assembly proceedings. The amended law stipulates that all entities operating with state government or local authority approval must prominently display 60 percent of their name in Kannada on their signage, with Kannada being prominently featured at the top of the signboard.
Furthermore, the bill specifies that information in Kannada should occupy the upper half of the signboard, aligning with the government’s objective of promoting the use of the Kannada language across both public and private sectors. Tangadagi, in presenting the bill to the assembly, indicated that the government would soon introduce rules to enforce compliance with the law. These rules are expected to include provisions for the cancellation of licenses as a deterrent to non-compliance. Tangadagi emphasized that businesses and establishments would only feel the impact of these measures once licenses are revoked, and that adherence to Kannada signage regulations would be a prerequisite for obtaining or renewing licenses in the future.
The move to mandate the display of the number of Kannadigas employed by MNCs and enforce Kannada signage requirements reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding the linguistic and cultural identity of Karnataka. By prioritizing the use of Kannada in business communications and promoting greater employment opportunities for Kannadigas, the government aims to foster linguistic diversity and inclusivity within the state.
