Google apologises for showing Kannada as 'ugliest language'; plea in Karnataka High Court withdrawn

The Karnataka High Court today disposed of as withdrawn a petition seeking to initiate legal action against Google India after a search on the platform showed Kannada as being the "ugliest language in India.".A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum noted in its order,"The petition has been filed against Google India Private Limited as well as other respondents, stating that on Google some derogatory remark has been made in respect of Kannada language. The petitioner himself has filed copy of the newspaper clipping. The contention of the petitioner is that later on, Google India has tendered apology in the matter in terms of the content displayed on the website, assuring that such incidents will not take place in future.".The petition filed by Anti Corruption Council Of India Trust, through The Legal Attorneys and Barristers law firm was prompted to withdraw the petition after Google India had tendered an apology..Google India had apologised for the misunderstanding and hurting the sentiments of people on its Twitter handle on June 3. .In this light, the Court recorded,"The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner at this stage prays for withdrawal of the petition with the liberty to take recourse to the other remedies available in law. The PIL is disposed of in the above terms.".The plea had had sought to direct the Union as well as the State government to initiate legal action under various provisions of the Indian Penal code (IPC) as well as the Information Technology Act (IT Act) against the tech giant. .The petitioners also sought compensation of ₹10 crore for causing defamation and tarnishing the dignity of the Kannada language, to be deposited with the Department of Culture and Heritage, Government of Karnataka.