Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has been at the center of a viral debate following claims that Hindi has been removed from its digital flight information display boards. The controversy was triggered after a video surfaced on X (formerly Twitter), showing flight details only in English and Kannada on the airport’s digital screens. The user who shared the video also captioned it, “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.”
The video quickly went viral, prompting a wave of social media discussion about the ongoing language tensions in southern states and the Centre’s proposed three-language policy. In the video, the digital boards displayed essential flight information such as flight numbers, destinations, status, and gate numbers, but only in Kannada and English, with no mention of Hindi.
In response to the growing speculation, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), the operator of Kempegowda International Airport, issued a statement on Sunday clarifying the situation. The airport authorities confirmed that there has been no change to the flight information display system and that the digital boards continue to feature both English and Kannada, as per the airport’s established practices.
BIAL further emphasized that the signage throughout the terminal is still displayed in English, Kannada, and Hindi. “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 assist passengers effectively,” the statement read.
This clarification comes shortly after BIAL introduced a new Kannada language option on its website. This initiative was designed to help passengers navigate the airport’s services in the local language with greater ease and familiarity. According to a press release from BIAL, the new language option allows travelers to access real-time flight information in Kannada, including updates on departures, arrivals, and delays. Additionally, a comprehensive FAQ section in Kannada has been added to address common queries and simplify the travel process.
The rumors about Hindi being removed from the airport’s display boards emerge amid an ongoing language debate in India, particularly between the Centre and Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu government has strongly opposed the Central government’s proposed three-language policy under the New Education Policy (NEP) of 2020, arguing that it would impose Hindi on the southern states.
The current situation in Bengaluru highlights the tensions surrounding the use of Hindi and regional languages, with local sentiments around language imposition often flaring up in public discourse. However, the airport’s official clarification aims to dispel any misconceptions about the alleged removal of Hindi from the flight information system, reiterating its commitment to accommodating both local and international passengers in a multilingual environment.
Sources By Agencies
