Karnataka High Court Halts Enforcement of 60% Kannada Signage Rule Pending Clarifications
Last Updated on March 19, 2024 by News Desk
The Karnataka High Court has ordered the state government to refrain from sealing any shop or commercial establishment due to failure to comply with a mandate to have 60% of a shop’s sign board or nameplate in Kannada.
Justice M. Nagaprasanna passed the interim order on petitions challenging Section 17(6) of the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act, 2022, and a February 2024 circular issued by the state government to enforce the 60 percent Kannada signage rule.
The court opined that a part of the February 2024 circular, which called for the sealing of shop premises violating the 60 percent Kannada mandate, appeared to be untenable. Therefore, the Court stayed the operation of this part of the circular. Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty’s submission that the State does not have any intention to shut down businesses to enforce the 60 percent Kannada rule was also taken into consideration.
The court also noted that Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty’s submission that the state does not have any intention to shut down businesses to enforce the 60 percent Kannada rule was also taken into consideration.
The court took note of the concerns of the petitioners, led by the Retailers Association of India, that there were practical difficulties involved in complying with the 60 percent signage rule within the state’s deadline, particularly when there was a lack of clarity on certain aspects, including the definition of a signboard.
Certain questions were raised regarding whether the 60 percent rule has actually come into force. The state assured that all necessary clarifications would be issued, including the date on which the amended provisions of the 2022 Act (which mandates 60 percent Kannada signage) would come into force. If the Act has not come into force, no precipitative action shall be taken against the petitioners. The matter will be heard next on March 22.
