BMRCL defends Hindi usage, irks pro-Kannada activists

Metro has submitted a report to the State Government defending implementation of Hindi The Metro says all 11 Metro Stations in Kochi, Kerala, has adopted 3-language formula Chennai Metro stations use Hindi-based announcements, says Metro report KDA chairman says Metro is violating rights by imposing Hindi

The Namma Metro has submitted a report to the State government defending implementation of Hindi reasoning that Kerala has three-language principles and in Tamil Nadu has Hindi-based announcements, reports Kannada Prabha. The Metro report says all 11 Metro Stations in Kochi, Kerala, has adopted three-language formula. Along with Malayalam and English Hindi is also used over there. In Chennai, Hindi-based announcements are made, the report says. The 11-page report also said that in Kochi, names of stations, , safety warning, passenger information, emergency trip system and emergency stop plunger are written in Hindi along with Malayalam and English.

This has certainly irked the Kannada Development Authority as it has been insisting Kannada in Metro. It is reported that the KDA is now preparing to answer Metro’s claim. It has warned the Metro that it will write to the State government that if it does not take back Hindi imposition it would charge Metro of violating of rights. The KDA has been inspecting implementation of Kannada in various departments and on Tuesday, it visited the BMRCL office. KDA chairman Prof S G Siddaramaiah said all 61 authorities that come under the State government are covered under the KDA and BMRCL is one of them and the State government’s language policy applies to the BMRCL also. Hence, Hindi in Metro nameboards must be removed failing which KDA would allege violation of rights by Metro. The Metro need not wait for a separate order from the State government as the Chief Secretary has already written to the Central government taking objection to using Hindi in Metro, he said.

KDA chairman Prof Siddaramaiah said the BMRCL should give a report once in three months regarding implementation of Kannada. Kannada Sangha and Kannada section should be set up in the corporation also the outsourced contract workers must learn Kannada. Besides, all advertisements should be in Kannada, demanded KDA chairman in the letter.

Metro MD Kharola has responded to the KDA's query stating that he would reply to the government in this regard. However, the KDA has taken objection to the BMRCL's response in English for a query submitted through the RTI.