"Strict action against whoever violates law": Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah after vandalism during pro-Kannada protests

Bengaluru: Following the pro-Kannada vandalism in Bengaluru, Karnataka Chief Minister on Thursday said that strict legal action would be initiated against those violating law and order in the state.
"We are not opposed to anyone holding protests but legal action will be taken against those who take the law into their own hands," Siddaramaiah told reporters on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Karnataka CM is scheduled to hold a high-level meeting over the forced installation of Kannada signboards at shops and offices.
"I will hold a meeting with BBMP and police officers today," he said.
Officials of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the primary civic body in the city, and the state Culture Department will participate in the meeting, according to sources.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also echoed the Chief Minister saying the protestors will not be allowed to violate law and order in the state.
"In a democracy, everyone has the right to protest. We can't tolerate anyone taking the law into their hands. I am disturbed that they (pro-Kannada protesters) vandalised boards & establishments etc. Please obey the govt's 60 per cent Kannada boards order. We are committed to protecting the citizens of the state" DK Shivakumar said
Earlier, on Wednesday, the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) expressed concern over the BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) directions for inscribing '60 per cent Kannada' letters on all name boards for commercial establishments.
The FKCCI, while reiterating that it will always follow the rules of the government, stated that it will also instruct its members to adhere to the orders of the state or BBMP.
However, the FKCCI also urged the state government not to initiate any action under the above rule until the deadline of February 28, next year.
"We request the Government of Karnataka and BBMP not to initiate any action for the above rule till the deadline of 28th February 2024 and also urges the Government to ensure that no one takes law in their own hands to harass the Trade and Commercial establishments," Ramesh Chandra Lahoti, president, FKCCI said in a statement.
Bengaluru Police, on Wednesday, detained the members of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), a pro-Kannada activist group, who staged a protest in Bengaluru demanding that all businesses and enterprises in Karnataka put up boards in Kannada at their shops and commercial establishments in keeping with the state's obligation that 60 per cent of them are in Kannada.
The public awareness protest was held under the leadership of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike State President T A Narayan Gowda.
It has also come to the fore that the KRV activists also vandalised shops that had signboards in English letters. The members of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike also broke flower pots outside the Mall of Asia in Bangalore, broke signboards in English and sprayed black ink on them, officials said earlier.