The Kannada and Culture Minister of Karnataka, Shivaj S. Tangadagi, has issued a demand to all banks operating in the state to provide services in Kannada and prioritize candidates who speak the language during hiring.
Tangadagi emphasized that every bank operating in Karnataka is obligated to communicate and conduct business with Kannada speakers in Kannada. He termed this his linguistic right. Expressing approval for Bank Baroda's decision to hire employees who know the local language, he congratulated Kannada organizations and local residents who campaigned in support of this initiative. He also called on other banks to take similar steps.
Furthermore, he appealed to the Ministry of Finance of the central government to include a provision in Karnataka's hiring rules granting priority to candidates who speak Kannada.
Tangadagi stated that Kannada speakers should not face language barriers when using banking or any other services in their own land. He noted that receiving services in Kannada is their right, and ensuring this is the duty of any organization. He clarified that this requirement goes beyond just employment and relates to the linguistic rights and self-respect of Kannada speakers.
Tangadagi's statement comes amid broad efforts in Karnataka to increase the use of Kannada in administration and business. The government has already issued directives requiring the use of Kannada in official correspondence, orders, memos, and public announcements under the Karnataka Official Language Act of 1963. However, this law does not apply to communication with the federal government, other states, or the judicial system. The Kannada Development Authority reported the continued use of English in many departments. The government warned that disciplinary action would be taken against officials who fail to comply with the rules.
In Bengaluru, a requirement has been established stipulating that 60 percent of the area of commercial enterprise signs must be dedicated to Kannada. This measure received support from the Karnataka legislature, which unanimously passed the relevant law. Proponents of this policy argue that such steps are necessary to protect Kannada and ensure services in the state language. Nevertheless, critics have expressed disagreement with the mandatory implementation of provisions and the requirement for language priority in private sector hiring. They object that promoting Kannada should not restrict the use of other languages or people's migration for work.