Did Bengaluru airport remove Hindi from flight info boards? BIAL clarifies
Bengaluru airport denies removing Hindi from display boards, says signs still feature Hindi, English, and Kannada to help all passengers navigate easily
A social media post recently reignited the debate around language imposition by claiming that Hindi had been removed from the digital flight information boards at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport.
The viral video showed screens displaying flight updates solely in English and Kannada, with the user calling it a win against “Hindi imposition” and praising Kannadigas for standing up for their linguistic identity.
The video, shared on X, quickly gained traction, with many interpreting it as a move resisting Hindi imposition in Karnataka.
Several users shared similar videos showing flight information displayed only in Kannada and English, fuelling speculations online.
The post struck a nerve, especially amid ongoing resistance in Tamil Nadu and other southern states against the Centre’s three-language policy proposed in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
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Official response
In response to the controversy, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which manages the airport, issued a statement clarifying that there had been no change in its flight information display system.
A spokesperson reiterated that the airport has long followed a dual-language format—English and Kannada—for digital flight updates to assist passengers efficiently.
However, BIAL emphasised that wayfinding signage across terminals continues to feature Hindi, alongside English and Kannada, ensuring accessibility for diverse travellers.
Debate continues
Despite the clarification, social media remained divided. Some applauded the alleged removal of Hindi as an assertion of regional pride.
Others criticised it as impractical and exclusionary. “Do only English and Kannada speakers fly to Bengaluru?” asked one user, while another insisted, “Airports should ease travel, not confuse visitors.”
A few struck a balanced tone, arguing that while resisting Hindi imposition is valid, airports and railway stations must prioritise ease of communication by including commonly spoken languages.
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Kannada gains visibility
Interestingly, the controversy comes just days after BIAL introduced a Kannada-language interface on its official website.
The update allows travellers to access real-time flight updates in Kannada, enhancing navigation for native speakers. FAQs are also now available in Kannada, enhancing the airport experience for native speakers.
This digital inclusion aligns with Karnataka’s efforts to strengthen the presence of the state language in public domains without sidelining others.