Outrage over Hindi signage on BMTC buses, transport utility says it was only a trial run

BENGALURU: A video showing Hindi signage on a BMTC bus went viral, sparking outrage among Kannadigas on social media. Following this, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) authorities claimed that it was being done only for trial and would not be a regular feature.

The viral video shows a blue BMTC bus with a signage board displaying ‘Welcome to BMTC’ in Kannada, English, and Hindi. The video was uploaded on social media with many tagging BMTC and the government, questioning the need for Hindi signages in Karnataka. Some Kannadigas asked why Hindi was added to the LED signage, criticising the government for imposing Hindi in Karnataka.

After the video went viral on social media platforms, BMTC officials clarified that the bus was operating on a trial basis and there is no plan to introduce Hindi signages on regular BMTC buses.

BMTC chief traffic manager Prabhakar Reddy clarified that Hindi is not being imposed. “The bus in the viral video was part of a trial, and the signage was not a permanent fixture. There is no plan to introduce Hindi signage on regular BMTC buses. The BMTC buses running now have Kannada and English letters. There is no question of imposition of Hindi. The signage was part of the trial and will not a permanent feature”, he said.