I have not decided to name Hajj Bhavan after Tippu: Minister Zameer
Bengaluru, June 25: Minority Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan said that in view of the state budget, he held a discussion with the elected representatives of the community and no political issues were discussed.
Speaking to reporters after holding a meeting with the MLAs and MPs of the minority communities at a private hotel here on Monday, the Minister said that last time, Rs 3150 crore funds were reserved for minority welfare. This time it was decided to submit a proposal for more funds. Development of Urdu schools, appointment of Kannada teachers to Urdu schools, improving the PDS system and other issues were discussed, he said.
“I have not decided to name Haj Bhawan after Tipu Sultan. In spite of it, it is being made a big issue. When I was holding a meeting related to Haj department, the officials brought to my notice about the demand of religious heads and community people to name Haj Bhawan after Tipu Sultan. At that time, I have clarified them that I would discuss the issue with the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Legislative Party heads, Opposition leaders and others and take them into confidence before taking any decision”, he said.
He has got the suggestion of the BJP leaders who advised to name the Hajj Bhavan after former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. First BS Yeddyurappa had given the grant for the Bhavan and later, DV Sadananda Gowda laid the foundation stone. So, the Bhavan was completed with the contribution of BJP leaders, he said.
Urban Development Minister UT Khader, former central minister Rehman Khan, MLAs NA Haris, Raheem Khan, Kaneez Fathima, Rajya Sabha Member Naseer Husein, MLCs Abdul Zabbar, BM Farooq, Minority Commission president Naseer Ahmed, Minority Department secretary Muhammad Mohseen, Minority Directorate director Akram Pasha and others were present.
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Karnataka Governor gives assent to legislation against ‘honour killing’ in inter-caste marriages
Bengaluru: The government has brought into force the Karnataka Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of Crimes in the name of honour and tradition (Eva Nammava Eva Nammava) Act, 2026, intended to restrict ‘honour killings’ in inter-caste marriages.
According to The Indian Express, the legislation received assent from Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot on April 9 and was officially notified in the state gazette on April 10. The law had been passed unanimously by the state legislature last month.
The Bill was proposed by the Congress government in the wake of caste-linked ‘honour killings’ in the state, including the December 21, 2025, murder near Hubli of a 20-year-old Lingayat woman by her father for marrying a man from another caste.
The phrase ‘Eva Nammava Eva Nammava’ in the title is in reference to the message of universal humanity that the Lingayat saint Basavanna espoused. Basavanna, who rebelled against the caste system to lay the foundation of the Lingayat faith system, an amalgamation of all castes, used the words meaning ‘he is a part of me’ to say all people are one.
Under the new law, crimes committed in the name of ‘honour’, including murder, assault, threats, and social boycott, are specifically addressed with stringent punishments. ‘Honour killing’ offences carry a minimum imprisonment of five years, while serious assaults attract at least three years in jail.
The new law defines the social boycott of inter-caste couples as forcible eviction to remote corners of villages, refusal to provide services, refusal to provide work, refusal to conduct business, denial of loans and admissions to schools, and makes it punishable.
In the case of ‘honour killings’ per se, the new law prescribes a minimum imprisonment of five years, and in the case of assaults, a prison term that is not less than three years for serious injury and two years for minor injuries.
The offences under the proposed law are cognisable and non-bailable, which means police can carry out arrests without court permissions after taking up a case.
The legislation follows several reported inter-caste relationship-related killings in Karnataka in 2025, including cases in Raichur and another involving 18-year-old Kavita.
The law to protect the freedom of choice in marriages is among several social bills that the Congress government has brought out in line with its policies for the backward and downtrodden communities in the state.
