Karnataka Makes Kannada Mandatory On All Product Labels

Bengaluru: The Government of Karnataka has directed manufacturers of all industrial and consumer products in the state to display names (of the product) and usage instructions in Kannada along with other languages of their choice. This will not only help promote the Kannada language but also come in handy for those, particularly in rural areas, who are not well versed in English or other languages, an official said.

“Language reflects the culture, tradition and values of the land. For a language to develop, production, marketing and business in that land must be in the local language. For the comprehensive development of the Kannada language and to provide better opportunities to Kannadigas in all spheres of life, the Government has implemented the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act, 2022, in effect from March 12, 2024. Section 17 (7) of the said Act states that as far as possible, the names of all industrial and other consumer products manufactured and sold within the state and the directions for their use will be in Kannada along with any other language, if any,” the circular issued by the government on Friday states.

This move comes amidst an ongoing strife between Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin and the Centre, over the alleged imposition of Hindi as a third language. Amidst this controversy, Rashtriya Swayam Sevak (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat batted in favour of the mother tongue, urging everyone to use it.

While industrialists see nothing wrong in this decision, it could lead to additional expenses and logistics issues, some of them said. While it may not be too much of a problem to get labels printed in Kannada, separate ones may have to be used for the products manufactured in Karnataka and sent to other states. All states may not take too kindly to labels in Kannada and this could lead to a fall in demand in today’s competitive market, some of them believe.

It may also not be long before other states take the cue and issue similar circulars.