Bengaluru : A proposal by the Karnataka government to host an Urdu festival on the steps of the Vidhana Soudha has sparked a political debate. The event, which was announced by Haj and Wakf Minister UT Khader, is scheduled for November 9 and aims to highlight Urdu literature, cuisine, art forms, and books.
However, the plan has met with immediate resistance from the opposition. BJP legislator and former minister S Suresh Kumar has formally requested Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to cancel the event, arguing that the government’s focus should remain on broader cultural representation rather than specific linguistic celebrations at the state’s primary seat of power.
Concerns Over Venue and Cultural Priorities:
In a public statement, Kumar questioned the choice of the Vidhana Soudha as the venue for the festival. He described the building as a symbol of Kannada identity and suggested that the government should utilize other available cultural venues across Bengaluru for such programmes. His primary contention, however, centers on the perceived lack of similar high-profile platforms for Kannada literature and culture under the current administration.
Kumar clarified that his objection is not directed at the promotion of the Urdu language itself, but rather at the government’s perceived priorities. He challenged the administration to explain the criteria used to select Urdu for such a prominent platform while questioning whether similar opportunities would be extended to other linguistic groups present in the state, such as speakers of Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi, Hindi, Konkani, and Tulu.
Allegations of Appeasement and Future Demands:
The BJP leader alleged that the decision could be interpreted as an attempt to appease a specific community, warning against the use of taxpayer-funded platforms for what he termed as vote-bank politics. He has urged the government to provide clarity on whether the event is intended solely for Urdu promotion and if a roadmap exists for organizing similar events for other linguistic communities in Karnataka.
The controversy arrives against the backdrop of ongoing discussions regarding the status of the Urdu language in the state. The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has previously advocated for Urdu to be granted official-language status across Karnataka. The party has cited 2011 Census data and the existence of Urdu-medium government and aided schools to argue that official recognition would improve access to government services and public information for Urdu-speaking residents.
