‘No business if not Kannada’, Karnataka government orders amid language row

In order to promote the Kannada language and ensure its widespread use, the Karnataka government has issued a directive that all industrial and consumer products manufactured in the state must display their names and usage instructions in Kannada along with other languages. In a circular issued in February, the government emphasised that the directive applies to both public and private sector manufacturers. The circular emphasised the importance of the language in reflecting the culture, tradition and values ​​of the land. According to a report, the circular states that it is hereby directed that all industrial and consumer products manufactured in the government and private sectors within the state must mandatorily have the names and usage instructions printed in Kannada along with other languages. The implementation of this directive falls under the purview of the officers designated under Section 9 of the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act, 2022. These officers have been tasked with ensuring that all manufacturers comply with the guidelines. It highlighted that for Kannada to flourish, the language must actively engage in commercial activities, including production and marketing. To promote Kannada and improve employment opportunities for Kannadigas, the government enacted the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act, 2022, which is effective from March 12, 2024. Section 17(7) of the Act states that the names and usage instructions of all products manufactured and sold within Karnataka must be printed in Kannada along with any other language, if applicable.