A signboard at Sri Guru Darshan Cafe in Vidyaranyapura, Bengaluru, has ignited fresh discussions on language identity. The display, which read “Hindi is the official language,” triggered a storm on social media, with many criticizing it as controversial and divisive.
The board drew widespread backlash online, with netizens questioning its purpose and accusing it of being deliberately provocative. Several users on X (formerly Twitter) asserted that Kannada holds official status in Karnataka, while Hindi and English remain national-level official languages. Some speculated that the digital board may have been tampered with, while others demanded action if it implied that customers must understand Hindi to dine there.
One user remarked, “This is disrespectful! Every region has its own culture—such acts should not be tolerated. But let’s confirm if this was the owner’s doing or an internal mischief.” Another wrote, “If the cafe is enforcing Hindi, it should be penalized. Bengaluru already faces language tensions.”
Responding to the uproar, the police launched an investigation. Authorities identified a person named Babu as responsible for putting up the sign. The cafe owner, unaware of the situation until the controversy escalated, swiftly removed the board. Officials are now probing whether the act was intentional mischief.
The incident underscores Bengaluru’s ongoing linguistic sensitivities, sparking fresh conversations on cultural respect and inclusivity.
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