FSSAI Order On Using Dahi on Curd Packets Sparks Hindi Imposition Debate in Karnataka
Can there be a language debate over Curd? well, it has just started. With just few days left for Karnataka elections, the Hindi Imposition debate has made a comeback in the state. It all started with spelling curd on a packet of curd. Recently, A Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) order directed the Karnataka Co-operative Milk Producers Federation Limited to use the word ‘Dahi’ followed by the common regional name in brackets on the label of curd packets. This has angered pro-Kannada groups and invited stiff opposition from the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) board of directors. Anand Kumar, a director on the KMF board, said that dairy farmers will not allow KMF to sell curd packets using the word ‘Dahi’ in Karnataka. He alleged that the move was yet another attempt by the central government to “cunningly” impose Hindi on southern states.
