On Wednesday, a large-scale demonstration was organized in Bengaluru by the pro-Kannada Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), which demanded that all Karnataka companies have nameplates and signboards written in the local language. The government's mandate that 60 percent of Kannada nameplates be used by all enterprises was met with a protest today. Under the direction of KRV state president TA Narayan Gowda, a "public awareness protest" got out of control when some protestors vandalized English-language signboards.
Outside Bengaluru's Mall of Asia, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike members shattered flower pots. Additionally, they destroyed English-language signboards and sprayed black ink on a few of them. Today, T A Narayana Gowda announced that businesses from other states wishing to operate in Karnataka will need to take down their English signage. Bangalore is a business hub for people from many states. On the other hand, their stores don't have Kannada nameplates. It is solely in English that their shop nameplates are being displayed. Put nameplates on their Kannada-language stores if they wish to remain in Bangalore; if not, they would have to leave Karnataka and relocate elsewhere, according to Gowda.
The peaceful march quickly descended into violence in the hours that followed.
