JOIN USA faction of Kannada Rakshana Vedike (KRV) on Friday staged a protest against use of Hindi in Namma Metro signages even as the state government wrote to the Centre to put an end to the issue.
Several protesters led by KRV faction leader Shivaramegowda burnt a copy of a signage with station names in Hindi near Kempegowda Metro Station. The protesters shouted slogans against Hindi imposition and urged the government to ensure the language is not imposed on people.
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) managing director Pradeep Singh Kharola said the opposition to use of Hindi in Namma Metro has already been communicated to the state government and the Centre.
“I have spoken to the protesters and received a request seeking removal of Hindi. The matter has been communicated to the state and central governments. We will work as per their directions,” he said.
Security was heightened in the Majestic area as the protesters first shouted slogans near Sangolli Rayanna statue before moving to the Metro station. There was minor disruption in traffic but the police managed to fix it in a short time.
The protest came on a day when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wrote to the Centre making the state’s stand against unnecessary use of Hindi.
The opposition to Hindi “imposition”, which was voiced back in 2011, saw a revival after a massive online campaign by Banavasi Balaga, an association of people working for primacy of Kannada in various establishments, including public transport, in the state.