Karnataka Governor sends back ordinance on 60% use of Kannada in signboards to government

Bengaluru: Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has sent back to the state government an ordinance on 60 percent use of Kannada in signboards of businesses and establishments, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said here on Wednesday.

"We approved an ordinance on signboards. The Governor has sent it back saying it should be passed in the Assembly. He could have given his assent now. Giving protection and respect to Kannada is our government's commitment," he said.

Shivakumar said it was "very unfortunate", and the Governor should not have rejected it and urged him to reconsider his decision.

"I request the Governor to reconsider the decision. There is no objection anywhere. It is a very progressive thought. That (ordinance), we will pass it in the Assembly. No doubt, we will pass it. For 10-15 days, it was not right to send it back to the government," he said.

On January 5, the state cabinet okayed an ordinance to amend the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act mandating 60 percent use of the state's language in signages.

The government opted for the ordinance, instead of drafting a bill, in the wake of violent protests carried out by pro-Kannada organisations who targeted businesses and establishments in Bengaluru for not giving prominence to Kannada.