The Anti-Hindi agitations of Karnataka were a series of agitations which occurred in the Indian state of Karnataka. On 14 September 2019, several Kannada activists and outfits marched from Townhall to Freedom Park in Bengaluru to protest the celebration of Hindi Divas in the state.
Agitations in 2017
Bengaluru Metro
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) in the Namma Metro project used three language signboards with Kannada, English and Hindi in the railway stations. Some locals believed that usage of Hindi in the metro as imposition because major portion of the fund to the project given by state government.[1] The pro Kannada activists protested outside the metro stations and started online campaign with Twitter hashtag #NammaMetroHindiBeda (Our Metro, we don't want Hindi).[2][3][4]
Banks
After successful campaign against Hindi usage in Bengaluru Metro, the activists demanded more usage of Kannada in Banks. They continued similar online campaign with Twitter hashtag #Nammabankukannadabeku[5] ("Our bank, we want Kannada")
Celebration of Hindi Divas in Karnataka
There was strong opposition towards celebrating Hindi Divas in Karnataka, a non-Hindi speaking state. Protests were held statewide against this celebration.[6] Activists took to Twitter with #StopHindiImposition to show their support and create awareness on Hindi Chauvinism.
References
- ^ "KDA issues notice to Namma Metro on Hindi usage". The Hindu.
- ^ "#NammaMetroHindiBeda: Pro-Kannada activists stage protest outside BMRCL office". The Hindu. 23 June 2017.
- ^ "Twitterati rises against 'Hindi hegemony' in Namma Metro - Deccan Herald". m.deccanherald.com.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Hindi beda in Namma Metro, say Kannada activists - Times of India". The Times of India.
- ^ "Campaign seeks restoration of Kannada in bank services - Deccan Herald". m.deccanherald.com.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "ಹಿಂದಿ ದಿವಸ್: ಬೇರೆ ಭಾಷೆಗೆ ಗೌರವ, ಹೇರಿಕೆ ಒಪ್ಪಲ್ಲ –ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಆಕ್ರೋಶ". 15 September 2020.