Pro-Kannada Activists Remove Unauthorised Hindi Signboard at BEL Circle
A pro-Kannada organisation removed an 'illegal' Hindi signboard at Bengaluru's BEL Circle on 30 June 2026, alleging that the board was installed without proper authorisation on a public road near the Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) campus.
Details of the Incident
Members of the group claimed the signboard, which displayed text in Hindi, had been put up without obtaining the required permissions from civic authorities. The activists took down the board and handed it over to the local police. According to the organisation, the action was taken to uphold the linguistic identity of Karnataka and to ensure compliance with state regulations regarding signage.
Impact and Reactions
The incident has sparked debate about language politics in Bengaluru, a city known for its diverse population. A spokesperson for the pro-Kannada outfit stated: "We will not tolerate any illegal installation that undermines the Kannada language and culture." No arrests have been reported, and the police are investigating the matter.
