Bengaluru: The Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru sparked social media debates after it removed Hindi from all its signboards, retaining only Kannada and English. The decision triggered widespread discussion, with netizens raising concerns over accessibility and inclusivity at the international travel hub.
While some users supported the promotion of the regional language, others questioned the exclusion of Hindi, one of India’s most widely spoken languages.
The video, initially posted on X (formerly Twitter), featuring the airport display boards operating without any Hindi text, has now amassed over 2 million views.
Netizens argued that such a decision could make navigation difficult for non-Kannada and non-English speakers. “Do you think only those who know English and Kannada visit Bengaluru? While it may be understandable not to have Hindi at metro stations, it should certainly be present at airports and railway stations,” one user commented.
Another called out what they saw as inconsistency in the policy and wrote, “While the Dubai Crown Prince tweets in Hindi to show respect for India, some of our own citizens disregard Hindi, even though it is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world."
Have a look at some other reactions here:
Some users argued that travel hubs like airports should focus on accessibility rather than language politics. “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,” another netizen wrote.
While supporters of the move view it as a cultural assertion and a promotion of Kannada pride, detractors see it as exclusionary and impractical for international and domestic travellers alike.
The airport authority has not yet issued an official statement regarding the updated language policy, but the ongoing backlash suggests the debate is far from over.
