‘Returned not rejected’: Karnataka Governor clarifies on Kannada name board ordinance

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 31 (ANI): Karnataka Raj Bhavan stated on Wednesday clarifying that Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has not rejected the ordinance on 60 per cent signage in Kannada, but has returned it to the State Government with advice.
"It is reported in the newspapers and TV channels that the Governor has rejected the 'Karnataka Bhasha Samagra Abhivruddhi (Tiddupadi) Adhyadesha, 2024' (60 per cent use of Kannada in signage boards) ordinance," as per an official statement.
The statement clarified, "Governor has not rejected the said Ordinance rather the Ordinance has been returned to the State Government with the advice to present the said Bill before both the Houses of State Legislature for approval, since the notification for summoning both the Houses has already been issued which is scheduled to commence from February 12, 2024."
The statement comes against the backdrop of the upcoming legislative session, scheduled to commence on February 12, 2024, prompting the Governor to advocate for the ordinance's consideration through the established legislative process.
Responding to the Governor's directive, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his commitment to the ordinance's passage during the forthcoming assembly session.
He clarified, "What the Governor has said is to pass it in the assembly session, he hasn't rejected the ordinance. We'll pass it in the assembly session."
Earlier in the day, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar urged the Governor to reconsider the ordinance making Kannada mandatory on name boards after the governor sent it back without signing.
Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on the rejection of the ordinance on Kannada name boards, he said, "Language is an emotional issue for Kannadigas. Neither the citizens nor any political party has raised any concern regarding the ordinance and hence I appeal to him to reconsider the ordinance once again."
"I don't know why the Governor has sent back the ordinance which mandates 60 per cent Kannada in name boards without signing. The Governor should have signed it without waiting for the Assembly session," he said. (ANI)