Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced the withdrawal of all cases filed against pro-Kannada activists involved in protests against alleged violations of language norms by businesses in the state.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of a 25-foot-tall bronze statue of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, a symbol of Karnataka’s identity, on the premises of Vidhana Soudha, the CM emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting the Kannada language. The statue, including its 41-foot pedestal, was constructed at a cost of approximately ₹21.24 crore and weighs about 31.5 tons.

Addressing the gathering, Siddaramaiah underscored the need for Kannadigas to embrace their language and culture. While acknowledging the importance of respecting all languages, he stressed that people in Karnataka should prioritize speaking and interacting in Kannada. "Instead of making mistakes in other languages, we should take pride in speaking our own. In neighboring states, the local language is dominant, and the same should be the case here," he said.

The Chief Minister urged everyone in the state to respect Kannada language, art, and culture, and to encourage learning and teaching Kannada. He emphasized that such efforts are essential for Kannada to become the dominant language in the state.

In 2023, several pro-Kannada activists protested against shops and businesses that did not adhere to the state’s mandate of displaying 60% of their signboards, advertisements, and nameplates in Kannada. These protests led to the registration of cases against many activists, which will now be withdrawn.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI