What is Karnataka Rakshana Vedike- Face of state’s language war also at centre of Belagavi, Cauvery disputes

What is Karnataka Rakshana Vedike? Face of state’s language war also at centre of Belagavi, Cauvery disputes

In a recent flare-up, members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) made headlines on Wednesday as they went on rampage in Bengaluru, vandalising commercial establishments and tearing down non-Kannada signages, insisting on a 60% inclusion of Kannada. This incident follows the state government’s directive to predominantly display Kannada signboards, with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) setting a deadline of February 28, 2024.

Law enforcement has responded with the registration of five FIRs, the detainment of hundreds of activists, and the arrest of 28 individuals, including KRV president TA Narayana Gowda in response to Wednesday’s violence.

Also Read: Union minister Pralhad Joshi backs demand for 60% shop signages in Kannada

Before 2005, the KRV primarily held influence in central Karnataka. However, it gained prominence after members protested the inclusion of Belagavi in Maharashtra, a city central to the Karnataka-Maharashtra border dispute.

“Flexing its muscle” in politics, the KRV boasts of reshaping the political scenario in Belagavi. Pro-Kannada activist Sannerrappa states, “Belagavi was a stronghold of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti, which had 6-7 MLAs in the area. We managed to bring down their political power,” The Indian Express reported.

Despite condemnation of the recent vandalism, major political parties in the state have been relatively subdued in their response. Deputy CM and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar clarified, “There is a law which says signages should have 60% Kannada in them… Those living and doing business in Bengaluru should follow it.”

Also Read: Pro-Kannada groups run riot in Bengaluru over order to use ‘60% Kannada’ signages

In an interview to NDTV on Wednesday, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, a Karnataka native, defended the demand stating, “This is not England.”

The KRV’s influence has been noted in shaping policy, with its successful agitation for local representation in the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) office. The organisation, advocating for jobs for locals, gained prominence with protests against the absence of Kannadigas in the vacant CAG posts.

The KRV also takes credit for the cessation of Hindi announcements on the Bengaluru Metro in 2017, launching campaigns like #NammaMetroHindiBeda (Our Metro, We do not want Hindi). Former CM Siddaramaiah, who was in office at the time, later ordered the withdrawal of cases against KRV members involved in the protests.

As the KRV continues to assert its stance on linguistic identity, its influence remains a focal point in Karnataka’s political and social landscape.