Make use of Kannada mandatory in apartment signboards in Bengaluru, says Kannada Development Authority Chairman

Prof. Purushottama Bilimale, Chairman of the Kannada Development Authority (KDA), has urged the State government to make the use of Kannada mandatory in signboards of apartments and residential complexes in Bengaluru, besides requiring its use within their administrative systems.

Prof. Bilimale urged Krishna Byre Gowda, the Minister for Bengaluru Development, to make the 71st Kannada Rajyotsava meaningful by enforcing such a rule.

In a letter to the Minister, Prof. Bilimale noted that many residential complexes in Bengaluru bear English names, and their signboards are entirely in English. He sought effective implementation of the rule enshrined in the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act, 2022, which requires that 60% of the space on signboards be in Kannada and 40% in English.

Furthermore, he emphasised that priority should be given to the use of Kannada in the notices, circulars, announcements, and administrative affairs of Residents’ Welfare Associations. He has urged that the government issue a specific notification to mandate the use of Kannada in these contexts.

Prof. Bilimale recalled a directive issued to the then Commissioner of Bruhath Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) during a 2025 review meeting on the implementation of Kannada, which called for a large-scale campaign to teach the language to non-Kannadigas residing in apartments. He further suggested that the effort would become even more meaningful if a circular were issued mandating that all apartments in Bengaluru celebrate Kannada Rajyotsava.