BENGALURU: All items made by govt and private firms in Congress-governed Karnataka will mandatorily have to carry names and product info in Kannada on labels, CM Siddaramaiah said Friday.
Speaking after felicitating Rajyotsava (state foundation day) awardees in Vidhana Soudha, the CM pointed out that most products made in the state now carry key information only in English.
The CM appealed to the citizens to take pride in Kannada language and its rich history of over 2,000 years, emphasising the need to use it in conversations at all levels without prejudices. “We must strive together to teach Kannada to non-Kannadigas. Regardless of religion, caste, creed or language, anyone who consumes food, water & air of Karnataka naturally becomes a Kannadiga. I do not oppose learning other languages. But it should not be at the cost of our language,” Siddaramaiah said.
Deputy CM DK Shivakumar echoed the appeal, highlighting the state govt’s aim to make Kannada the “language of life”. “People from different parts of the world have come to Bengaluru and Karnataka for livelihood and have made it their home. This is our heaven, and Kannada is our divine language,” Shivakumar said.
The CM urged Centre to be “just” to Karnataka in desolution of taxes and avoid “injustice for being progressive”.