Bengaluru, September 2025 – Tensions flared in Karnataka’s capital on Thursday after members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) stormed into a five-star hotel to protest a Hindi Diwas promotional event organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Rajbhasha Samiti. Police confirmed that 41 activists, including 13 women, were arrested and later sent to judicial custody.
The Incident
The Rajbhasha Samiti, a parliamentary body on official language, had organized a three-day meeting in Bengaluru (September 23–25), attended by MPs and government officials. On the final day, between 10:45 am and 11:00 am, around 30–40 KRV activists allegedly barged into the venue, raised slogans, and tore banners, claiming the event was an attempt to impose Hindi on non-Hindi speaking states.
Police intervened quickly, detained the protesters, and restored order. Despite the disruption, the meeting resumed and was completed as planned.
Police Action
A case was filed at High Grounds Police Station under charges of unlawful entry, obstructing government work, and creating a disturbance. The arrested activists were produced before the 1st ACJM Court, which remanded them to judicial custody.
KRV’s Response
KRV state president T.A. Narayana Gowda condemned the arrests and announced statewide protests across all 31 districts of Karnataka starting Saturday. He alleged that:
- The central government is attempting to promote Hindi at the cost of regional languages.
- Hindi-speaking officials in Karnataka are being promised bonuses and medals for using the language in their work.
- “False cases” have been filed against Kannada activists, including women with children.
“Kannada is supreme in Karnataka. We will not allow Hindi imposition in our state,” Gowda declared.
The Larger Debate
The arrests have reignited the Hindi imposition debate in Karnataka, where pro-Kannada groups have long opposed moves they see as undermining the state’s linguistic and cultural identity.
