Bengaluru, 1 October

The proposed Urdu festival on the steps of Vidhana Soudha has drawn sharp reactions from the opposition BJP and pro-Kannada organisations, prompting Karnataka Minister U T Khader to say on Thursday that the government would seek the views of those opposed to the event.

According to sources, the proposed event is scheduled for November 9, which is observed as Urdu Day.

"Every language has its own tradition and culture, and they all stand for unity. Our intention is a society filled with trust, a developed Karnataka and a strong India. With this intention, we had planned for it. Every year, the Urdu Sahitya award is given, and it used to be presented inside a hall. I, as a minister, had planned to organise the event in a better way," Khader told reporters.

Noting that some people had opposed the proposal, the state minister for Waqf & Hajj said, "It is not their mistake, as they were never exposed to such an event, nor did they understand the language and what was behind it."

"The event was planned for such people and to make them understand, so that the anger and jealousy inside them can be reduced. By reducing such things, we can establish a society filled with trust and a strong India," he said.

"We will speak to everyone. We want good for the state and the country through our programmes. I will never proceed with anything that may cause loss or create problems. We are not adamant on this issue. I have just shared an idea," he added.

Responding to a question on the opposition to the proposal, Khader said, "What other agenda do they have? Whatever we do, they claim it is appeasement."

"When we (Congress government) introduced the Shadi Bhagya scheme in the past, they termed it appeasement, but they brought the same scheme at the Centre, and that is not appeasement. Why should we discuss them (the opposition)? Being in opposition, opposing us is their duty. They cannot live without opposing us. What should we do if they oppose?" he asked.

Khader reiterated that he had only floated the idea of organising the event on the Vidhana Soudha steps and that the views of those opposing it would also be sought.

"The idea was to create an opportunity to understand each other's culture and tradition by organising it in an open space. We want to make those who don't know about the language aware of it. I had only spoken about it. Did the event happen?" he asked.

Asked whether he would drop the plan if the broader opinion was against it, Khader said there was no question of treating it as a matter of prestige and that the country's unity, brotherhood and peace were more important.

"Let's discuss. Our intention was only to spread brotherhood, love, unity and a strong India. We are ready for any sacrifice for this. We are ready to bend for this to any extent possible and face any amount of insult," he said.

BJP state president B Y Vijayendra alleged that the Congress government was resorting to a "divide and rule" policy by proposing to hold an Urdu festival on the steps of Vidhana Soudha at a time when Kannada should be prominently represented there.

Speaking in Kolar, he criticised the Congress government led by Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, alleging that such decisions were being taken with the intention of "appeasing minorities".

He said that when the central government proposed the three-language formula, the Congress government misled people by claiming that Hindi was being imposed on children.

"However, by now celebrating an Urdu festival in place of Kannada on the steps of Vidhana Soudha, the government has itself revealed its position," he said.

Stating that the BJP was not opposed to minorities, the BJP chief said the Union government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi was working with a vision of inclusive development and equal opportunities for all.

Along with providing schemes for minorities, development schemes should also reach every section of society equally, including Hindus, he said.

He said that instead of prioritising development works in the state, if the government continued to pursue politics that divided society, the people of Karnataka would respond through their verdict in the upcoming elections.

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike chief Narayana Gowda termed the proposal to organise an Urdu festival on the steps of Vidhana Soudha as "foolish, immature and arrogant".

"It reflects an attitude of recklessness—an assumption that anything can be done without consequences. It appears as though the government itself is taking the lead in damaging social harmony. The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike not only strongly condemns this, but will not allow this programme to take place under any circumstances," he said in a post on X.

"The government has plenty of work to do. Let it focus on those responsibilities. This is an attempt to pit Urdu-speaking people against Kannadigas and Kannadigas against Urdu-speaking people," he said.

"After holding an Urdu festival in front of Vidhana Soudha, will they next hold a Hindi festival, followed by Tamil, Telugu and Marathi festivals, and eventually sell Karnataka to non-Kannadigas?" Gowda questioned.

He urged the CM to immediately stop what he called "madness", warning that "otherwise, we will have to take the government to task".

"We are not opposed to Urdu or to any other language. There are plenty of places in Bengaluru where an Urdu festival can be held," he said.