KMC enforces "Bengali" signboards, sets strict deadline, Kolkata shops must display Language by month-end

Starting September 30, 2025, every shop, restaurant, hotel, and commercial establishment in Kolkata will need to display their names in clear "Bengali" on signboards, as mandated by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). The directive, announced via a notification signed by the Municipal Secretary, aims to promote the "Bengali" language, recently recognized as a classical language by the Central Government. With a deadline looming, the KMC has warned that non-compliance will lead to strict legal action, including the potential removal of non-compliant signboards. This move, rooted in cultural pride, has sparked both support and debate across the city, as businesses scramble to meet the requirement in just over three weeks.

The push for Bengali on signboards is not new. For the past year, the KMC, led by Mayor Firhad Hakim, has repeatedly urged commercial establishments to include Bengali on their signage alongside other languages like English or Hindi. Despite these efforts, many businesses have ignored the call, prompting the KMC to issue a firm deadline. A senior KMC official revealed that approximately 45,000 commercial entities under the corporation’s trade license have been notified, with letters sent to shops, shopping malls, hospitals, and diagnostic centers. The goal is to ensure that Bengali, the heart of Kolkata’s identity, is visibly represented across the city’s bustling streets.

Mayor Firhad Hakim has been vocal about preserving Bengali heritage, emphasizing that the mandate does not restrict businesses from using other languages but requires Bengali to be prominently displayed. “We have no issue with English or Hindi, but Bengali must be there,” Hakim stated, reinforcing that the rule aligns with public interest, as most Kolkatans are more comfortable reading and speaking in Bengali. The directive follows a broader cultural movement, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee advocating for a “Bhasha Andolan” to celebrate and protect the Bengali language. The KMC’s recent session, conducted entirely in Bengali, underscored this commitment.

The mandate has its roots in a long-standing KMC order, with previous deadlines, such as one set for February 21, 2025, largely overlooked by businesses. This time, the KMC is taking a tougher stance. The notification, uploaded to the KMC’s website for public awareness, specifies that signboards must be written in clear, visible Bengali. Non-compliance could lead to punitive measures under the municipal act, though specific sections are still being finalized in weekend meetings. For many small business owners, the challenge lies in redesigning signage within the tight timeline, especially for those with limited resources.

Supporters of the mandate argue it’s a vital step to preserve Kolkata’s linguistic and cultural identity. Bengali, with its rich literary and historical legacy, was recently recognized as a classical language, a milestone that has fueled calls for its prominence in public spaces. However, some business owners express concerns about the costs and logistics of updating signboards, particularly for larger chains with standardized branding. Others worry about enforcement consistency, questioning how strictly the KMC will act against non-compliant establishments. Despite these challenges, the mandate has sparked a renewed conversation about the role of language in shaping Kolkata’s identity.

As the September 30 deadline approaches, the KMC is stepping up efforts to ensure compliance, with officials planning inspections across the city. Mayor Hakim has also appealed to advertisers to incorporate Bengali in campaigns, though he noted that while he can’t mandate advertisements, signboards fall firmly under KMC’s authority.