A recent video showing flight information displays at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport sparked a heated online debate after it revealed flight details in only Kannada and English, with no Hindi in sight. The video quickly went viral, garnering over 2 million views and dividing netizens on social media. While some criticized the omission of Hindi as deliberate, others defended the airport’s language choice, emphasizing that Kannada is the local language of Karnataka and should be prioritized over Hindi in state-run services.

In response to the growing controversy, the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which operates the airport, issued a clarification. In its official statement, BIAL confirmed that there had been no recent changes to the display system. It explained that flight information continues to be shown in both English and Kannada, as per long-standing practices aimed at effectively guiding travelers. The authority also pointed out that wayfinding signages throughout the terminal include all three languages—English, Kannada, and Hindi—ensuring accessibility for passengers from across the country.

This incident reignited the broader debate over language imposition and regional identity, particularly in southern states like Karnataka. While Hindi is one of India’s official languages, resistance to its perceived dominance has remained a sensitive issue in several non-Hindi speaking regions. The airport’s clarification attempts to strike a balance, reinforcing regional linguistic pride while still accommodating the linguistic diversity of its travelers. The debate, however, continues to stir emotions and discussions online.