Linguistic tension between the Center and the southern states is not taking the name of stopping. According to a social media post, Hindi has been removed from the Digital Display Board at Kempe Gowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru. After this a new debate has erupted. In the post, a user shared a video that shows that the display boards of the airport now display information only in Kannada and English. After this, there was a flood of reactions on social media.
The social media user wrote in his post, “Today saw a strange thing on the Bengaluru T1 terminal. All digital boards are only in Kannada and English. Hindi or no other Indian language.” In the video shared with this claim, flight information was shown in only two languages, making the issue of language inclusion and regional identity again in the headlines.
This dispute has come to light at a time when tension between Hindi and regional languages is already a matter of discussion. Some users, while supporting the move, described it as a step towards promoting the Kannada language and the cultural identity of Karnataka. One user wrote, “It is a matter of pride to give priority to the local language. Kannada is our identity.” At the same time, many people described it as a step against non-social and national unity. Another user commented, “Hindi is the most spoken language in India. It is unfair to remove it from a public place like airport.”
Bangalore Airport Authority (BIL) clarified the case, saying that the language selection on the display board could be affected by technical reasons, and this was not a deliberate change. A BIL spokesman said, “Our policy is to provide an inclusive experience for all passengers. We are investigating the issue and will fix it soon.” However, this statement did not calm down the anger of many people and the debate on social media continued.
The incident may further air the movement against “imposing” Hindi against “imposing” Hindi in southern states, especially Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Experts believe that such a dispute needs to be balanced between linguistic diversity and national unity. Although the matter has not yet been officially settled, it has once again revealed India’s linguistic complications and regional pride. As this debate is moving forward, everyone’s eyes are on how the airport officials and the government handle this sensitive issue.
