Bengaluru, Nov 9 Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday assured that his government would provide additional grants for the activities of the Urdu Academy and hold a separate meeting next week to discuss and address issues faced by minority communities.
He made the announcement after inaugurating the annual award presentation ceremony, book release, and ‘Jashn-e-Urdu’ programme organized by the Karnataka Urdu Academy at Puttanna Chetty Town Hall here, where he presented awards to achievers.
“Discussions will be held with leaders and legislators representing various minority communities, including Christians, Muslims, Jains, and Buddhists. Additionally, the views and issues of SC and ST legislators will also be heard,” he said.
He said that fulfilling the promises made in the manifesto during the elections and the commitments given to communities on various occasions was their responsibility.
“Meetings are being held to resolve issues respectfully without hurting anyone’s sentiments. We will safeguard the respect and rights guaranteed under the Constitution,” he added.
The CM also said the issue of providing additional grants to the Urdu Academy has been discussed with the minister concerned.
“Whatever the academy requires will be reviewed and supported. The government will stand behind the growth of Urdu language, literature, and culture,” he noted.
He said the government cannot shut down a department merely because some people lacked faith in minority communities.
“Our government exists to protect the interests of minorities and to be their voice. We will work to ensure protection so that no community faces injustice,” he asserted.
Shivakumar said that the state government will govern strictly within the framework of the Constitution.
“All of us, including Rahul Gandhi, took our oath holding the Constitution in hand. Preserving the Constitution and upholding its ideals by offering equal respect and protection to all castes and religions is the government’s commitment,” he said.
Describing Urdu as a language that transcends community boundaries, the CM said it is a language of the heart, capable of touching people through literature, and poetry.
“This language knows no boundaries. Everyone should respect the Urdu language and culture, which has earned global recognition,” he said.
Shivakumar recalled that during the Mysuru Dasara celebrations, he sat for nearly an hour listening to poetry at an Urdu Shayari event.
“The literature brought delight to the mind. Interestingly, the audience included not just Muslims, but also Jains, Brahmins, Kannadigas, and Hindi speakers across various faiths and languages. Everyone was listening to the Urdu shayari with deep interest. This is a fine example of how language can connect people,” he added.
The CM said that knowledge must be respected regardless of the language it is in and that no language, including English, should be treated with disrespect.
“Language is a medium of communication. Everyone should love and respect their mother tongue and recognise the importance of one’s mother and mother tongue,” he said.
He said the government and the party believed in uniting society and had no interest in creating divisions.
“Our languages may differ, but human emotions are the same. Humanity is our caste, humanity is our religion. Both scissors and needles can be made from iron. We do not need the work of cutting. Let us work like a needle that stitches and binds people together. Our government and party work to unite society; we have no interest in dividing it,” he added.
(PTI News)
