Row Over Proposed Urdu Festival at Vidhana Soudha as Government Signals Venue Review
Minister U.T. Khader says government is open to discussions and changing the venue amid opposition from BJP and Kannada organisations
Bengaluru: A proposal to organise an Urdu Festival at the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru has triggered a political and cultural controversy, with the BJP and pro Kannada organisations opposing the proposed venue.
The event was proposed for November 9 as part of Urdu Day celebrations. The programme was planned to showcase Urdu language, literature, books, cuisine and various forms of art and cultural expression.
Karnataka Minister for Waqf, Haj and Minority Welfare U.T. Khader said on Thursday that the government was willing to listen to objections and reconsider the venue if the proposal created controversy.
Khader said every language has its own tradition and culture and that the objective of the programme was to promote understanding, trust and unity. He explained that Urdu Sahitya Academy awards had previously been organised inside a hall, while the proposal this time was to hold the programme in a more open setting.
He also said the government did not want to turn the venue issue into a matter of prestige and was prepared to discuss the proposal with all concerned parties.
The proposal has drawn opposition from the BJP. State BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra criticised the decision and alleged that the Congress government was pursuing minority appeasement. BJP leaders have also questioned why Vidhana Soudha was selected as the venue for the Urdu event and raised the issue of giving similar prominence to Kannada language and culture.
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike president T.A. Narayana Gowda has also opposed the proposal and called on the state government to withdraw the plan. He said his organisation would oppose the event if it was held at the proposed venue.
The controversy took another turn on Thursday when the Karnataka Chief Minister’s Office clarified that no non government programme, including the proposed Urdu Day celebration, had been permitted on the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha.
The latest developments indicate that the proposed venue is now under reconsideration, while the government is consulting different stakeholders. The final venue and format of the Urdu Day programme remain subject to further decisions by the state government.