A small change at Bengaluru’s International Airport has ended up creating a big buzz.A traveller recently noticed that the airport’s display boards, which earlier showed flight information in English, Kannada, and Hindi, now feature just English and Kannada. Hindi has quietly been dropped, and that hasn’t gone down well with everyone.As photos of the new boards started doing the rounds online, people began weighing in with strong opinions. Some welcomed the move as a win for local identity, while others questioned why a widely spoken language was removed from public places.The airport authorities have responded, but the debate has only grown louder. Here’s what is happening.Hindi removed from airport’s display boards?The debate kicked off after a user on X (formerly Twitter) shared a video from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) last week. The clip showed a digital screen at Terminal 1 displaying flight numbers, destinations, statuses, and gate details—only in English and Kannada. Hindi was nowhere to be seen.“Today, a surprise awaited at the T1 terminal of Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. All the digital boards displaying flight information, flight arrival and departure schedules and other information were only in English and Kannada,” the user wrote.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADMore from Explainers
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No Reservations: Why Britain’s oldest Indian restaurant may be forced to shut downThey followed up with more videos, clearly showing that all the display boards around the airport had dropped Hindi altogether.It didn’t take long for the videos to go viral, sparking a flurry of reactions online, from support to sharp criticism.‘Kannadigas are resisting Hindi imposition’The videos from the airport reignited the long-standing debate around the use of Hindi in southern states, especially the recurring charge of ‘Hindi imposition’ in Karnataka.One user commented, “Hindi is removed from digital display boards of Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. Kannada & English. Kannadigas are resisting Hindi imposition. This is a really good development!”Editor’s Picks1Is Karnataka trying to introduce 100% reservation for locals in private jobs?2Who is Chandra Arya, India-born MP running to be next PM of Canada?Another echoed the sentiment, saying, “Hindi isn’t the most spoken and understood in the south. We don’t need it. So learn South languages if you want to visit our states.”While many welcomed the change as a pushback against Hindi imposition, not everyone agreed, especially those from Hindi-speaking regions. They raised concerns about accessibility for travellers unfamiliar with Kannada or English.“Do you think only those who know English and Kannada visit Bengaluru? Not having Hindi at metro station is understandable, but it has to be there at the airport and railway station,” one user argued.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADAnother wrote sarcastically, “Do we get information in Kannada at Delhi airport?” Others felt the move could end up making travel harder for some passengers. “But isn’t this just adding inconvenience to the folks who can neither understand English nor Kannada?” asked one person.A third user added, “As much as I oppose the imposition of Hindi, removing it from travel hubs like airports and railway stations is unwise. These places should facilitate travel, not complicate it for people.”Also read:
What is the 60% Kannada rule that led to vandalism of stores in Bengaluru?Airport authorities respondAfter the video went viral and triggered a flurry of reactions online, the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL)—which manages Kempegowda International Airport—issued a statement to clear the air.Contrary to the claims being circulated, BIAL said that there had been no recent change in the airport’s flight information display system.“There has been no change in our flight information display system. In line with established practices, the displays continue to feature English and Kannada to effectively assist passengers. Additionally, the wayfinding signages throughout the terminals are displayed in English, Kannada and Hindi,” a BIAL spokesperson clarified to The Times of India.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADThe language debate in KarnatakaThe controversy over language in
Karnataka is far from new, but it’s been intensifying in recent years.Pro-Kannada groups have been increasingly vocal about giving the local language top priority in the state. Their push has often spilled over into public spaces, with reported incidents ranging from auto drivers refusing rides to non-Kannada speakers to English signboards being defaced, and even shopkeepers allegedly overcharging customers who speak Hindi.The debate has also reached the classroom. Much like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka is now seeing growing resistance to the Centre’s
three-language formula in schools. Many Kannada language activists are calling on the state government to drop Hindi as a compulsory third language and instead adopt a two-language policy, retaining Kannada and English.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADUnder the current SSLC (State syllabus), students study Kannada as their first language, English as their second, and from Class 6 onwards, a third language—most commonly Hindi—is introduced.Anand Guru, founder of the pro-Kannada group Banavasi Balaga, told Frontline, “The two- or three-language controversy predates Independence. In the princely State of Mysore, only Kannada and English were used, but after Independence, Hindi was imposed as an official language. The National Education Policy is designed to promote Hindi and establish it as the dominant language in the country. Karnataka is becoming a haven for Hindi speakers, yet many migrants neither learn nor attempt to learn Kannada. We demand the removal of Hindi from Karnataka’s education system.”While language activism continues to grow in the state, the latest signboard debate at the Bengaluru airport shows just how sensitive the topic has become.With input from agenciesTagsIndiaKarnatakaEnd of Article
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No Hindi on the Bengaluru airport display board? The debate explained
