Bahrain: U T Khader hails NRKs for promoting Kannada in foreign land

coastaldigest.com news network

October 7, 2018

Bahrain, Oct 7: U T Khader, Minister for Urban Development and Housing, government of Karnataka, has urged the Kannadigas around the world not to forget the Kannada language and culture.

He was the chief guest at the two-day International Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held at The Indian Club in Bahrain October 5 and 6. The event was organised by Kannada Sahitya Parishat, in association with Kannada University Hampi and Kannada Sangha Bahrain.

Mr Khader said Kannadigas should make sure that that modern life style doesn’t compel them to forget their mother tongue and culture. “We must learn more languages. Languages like English and Hindi help our growth. At the same time we should give equal importance to Kannada as it is our permanent identity,” he said.

He lauded the selfless service of organisations of non-resident Kannadigas (NRKs) like Kannada Sangha Bahrain towards preserving and promoting Kannada. “What you are doing is a noble deed. Your role in promoting Kannada in a foreign land will always be remembered and appreciated,” he said.

Laying emphasis on amity between various sections and classes of society, Mr Khader said Kannada literature unites people and creates harmony in the society. “We must be grateful to Kannada scholars like Kuvempu and Shivaram Karanth who showed us the path of universal brotherhood and rationalism,” he said.

He also called upon people to read Kannada books. “All malls in all cities of Karnataka are always flooded with people. In cities like Mangaluru every weekend families go to malls for shopping. I do not discourage this. But, if is sad that we do not see such crowd in book exhibitions in our cities,” he said.

Mr was given a warm felicitation on the occasion. Dr Jayamala, Minister for Kannada and Culture and Women and Child Development inaugurated the convention. Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Manu Baligar presided over the event. Senior writer Dr H S Venkatesh Murthy and KDA Chairman Prof S G Siddaramaiah were present.

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From Representation to Rivalry: The Sorry State of Muslim Leadership in Karnataka Congress

coastaldigest.com news network

January 19,2026

Bengaluru: As the dust settles on the recent legislative session, the corridors of Vidhana Soudha are buzzing with more than just policy talk. A high-stakes game of political musical chairs has begun, exposing a deepening rift within the Congress party’s Muslim leadership as a major Cabinet reshuffle looms.

With the party hierarchy signaling a "50% refresh" to gear up for the 2028 Assembly elections, the race to fill three projected Muslim ministerial berths has transformed from a strategic discussion into an all-out turf war.

The "Star Son" Spark

The internal friction turned public this week following provocative remarks by Zaid Khan, actor and son of Wakf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan. Zaid’s claim—that his father "helped" secure a ticket for Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad in 2023—has acted as a lightning rod for resentment.

Rizwan’s camp was quick to fire back, dismissing the comment as a desperate attempt by Zameer to manufacture seniority. "Rizwan’s political pedigree was forged in the NSUI and Youth Congress long before Zameer even stepped into the party," a supporter noted, highlighting Rizwan’s tenure as an AICC secretary and his two-term presidency of the State Youth Congress.

A Tale of Two Loyalists

While both Zameer Ahmed Khan and Rizwan Arshad are staunch allies of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and represent Bengaluru strongholds, their political DNA could not be more different:

• Zameer Ahmed Khan: A four-time MLA who crossed over from JD(S) in 2018. Known for his "overzealous" and often polarizing outreach during communal flashpoints—from the DJ Halli riots to the recent Wakf land notice controversy—his style has frequently left the Congress high command in a state of "discomfort."

• Rizwan Arshad: A homegrown organizational man. Seen as a "quiet performer," Arshad represents the sophisticated, moderate face of the party, preferred by those who find Zameer’s brand of politics too volatile.

The Outsiders Looking In

The bickering isn't limited to a duo. The "Beary" community, represented by leaders like N A Haris and Saleem Ahmed, is demanding its pound of flesh. Saleem Ahmed, the Chief Whip in the Legislative Council, has dropped the veil of diplomacy, openly declaring his ministerial aspirations.

"I was the only working president not included in the Cabinet last time," Saleem noted pointedly, signaling that the "loyalty quota" is no longer enough to keep the peace.

As Chief Minister Siddaramaiah prepares to finalize the list, he faces a delicate balancing act: rewarding the aggressive grassroots mobilization of Zameer’s camp without alienating the organizational stalwarts and minority sub-sects who feel increasingly sidelined by the "Chamarajpet-Shivajinagar" binary.

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