Bengaluru Cafe’s ‘Hindi Is Official Language’ Signboard Sparks Outrage, Removed After Police Action
A digital signboard at Sri Guru Darshan Cafe in Bengaluru’s Vidyaranyapura, proclaiming “Hindi is the official language,” triggered widespread backlash on social media, prompting swift police intervention and its removal on March 22, 2025.
A video circulating on X showcased the signboard outside the cafe, stirring immediate reactions online. Many questioned its intent, given Kannada’s status as Karnataka’s official language, while Hindi and English hold national recognition.
The Vidyaranyapura Police responded, stating, “The sign was previously installed by someone named Babu, but the hotel owner did not notice.” They confirmed the cafe owner was unaware until the issue escalated, leading to the sign’s prompt removal.
The incident fueled diverse responses online. One user remarked, “Bengaluru has become highly unwelcoming to outsiders because of the language issue,” citing a personal experience of being ignored for speaking Hindi on a bus.
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Another user suggested possible mischief, noting, “Appears hacked. It’s easy to hack this board.” Others demanded clarity on whether the cafe intended to prioritize Hindi-speaking customers, escalating linguistic tensions.
The controversy follows a prior viral video where Bengaluru residents named Hindi, English, and Tamil—but not Kannada—as the city’s official languages. This latest incident has reignited debates over linguistic identity in Karnataka’s capital.
Police added, “This will be reviewed,” indicating further investigation into the signboard’s origin. The swift removal aims to diffuse tensions in a city already grappling with language-related disputes.
Authorities are expected to probe whether the sign was an act of provocation or an oversight. With Bengaluru’s linguistic landscape under scrutiny, officials may tighten oversight to prevent similar incidents, while public reactions continue to unfold online.
