Kolkata Municipality Mandates Bengali on Shop Signboards Amid Growing Language Concerns

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Kolkata, December 5, 2024 :  In a move that highlights the growing concerns over the use of Bengali in Kolkata, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has announced that all shop, restaurant, and commercial center signboards in the city will now be required to display Bengali, alongside other languages. This order comes in the wake of recent remarks made by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who had expressed concern over the existential and language crisis faced by Bengalis, particularly in Kolkata.

A few months ago, Mamata Banerjee had raised the issue, pointing out that there are areas in Kolkata where only Hindi is spoken, overshadowing the city’s native language. This growing dominance of non-Bengali languages has led to fears that Bengali, the mother tongue of the people of Kolkata, could eventually fade from public life if immediate measures are not taken. Now, the KMC has stepped in to address this pressing issue, making it mandatory for all commercial establishments to ensure that Bengali is prominently displayed on their signboards.

According to an official from the Kolkata Municipality, this regulation is part of the civic body’s efforts to preserve Bengali as the language of communication in the city. "This is a step to protect our heritage and identity. Without action, Bengali could disappear from the city," said the official. The KMC has set a deadline for the implementation of this rule: February 21, 2025. If businesses fail to comply, they will face penalties.

Swapan Kundu, the Secretary of the Kolkata Municipality, confirmed that communication has already begun with the owners of shops, restaurants, and commercial centers. "We are informing them that the names and details on their signboards must include Bengali alongside other languages, ensuring that the language of the people is not lost in the commercial landscape of Kolkata," he stated.

The decision has been welcomed by the civic community and supporters of Bengali culture, who believe that this initiative will help preserve the language’s prominence in the city. In October 2024, Trinamool Congress (TMC) Councillor Biswaroop Dey had raised the issue during a meeting, calling for all signboards of government and private offices to include Bengali. This new mandate is a direct response to his suggestion and will be enforced across the city.

The move to safeguard Bengali is gaining traction, with both residents and cultural organizations voicing their support for the KMC’s intervention. The shift comes at a time when cultural and linguistic identity is a matter of increasing concern, particularly in a metropolis like Kolkata, where the presence of non-Bengali-speaking communities has grown.