“When you were in power, whom did you please with Urdu ads?” Siddaramaiah questions BSY, Bommai
Row erupts after BJP accuses Congress over Urdu advertisement
Bengaluru: A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Congress government of neglecting Kannada and indulging in appeasement politics by allegedly issuing an official invitation for the launch of the Kusuma Sanjeevini programme and free ambulance services in Urdu, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hit back at the BJP, questioning why advertisements were issued in Urdu during its tenure and whom they were meant to please.
Launching a scathing attack on the saffron party, the Chief Minister said, “We are not in such a poor position that we need to take lessons from BJP leaders on concern for land, water, and language. When it comes to protecting the interests of Kannada and Kannadigas, I have put politics aside and stood on the front line of the struggle. History bears witness to this. I entered political life as the president of the Kannada Kavalu Samiti. For me, Kannada is not just a language, it is life. Jai Karnataka, Jai Kannada.”
In a post on X on Thursday, Siddaramaiah said he had “listened to the brave words spoken by opposition leaders against a government advertisement published in Urdu in an Urdu newspaper.” Calling it the height of hypocrisy, he said the BJP had itself issued Urdu advertisements while in power and was now turning against the Congress government.
Addressing former chief ministers B. S. Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai, Siddaramaiah asked, “When you were in power, whom did you give advertisements in Urdu to please? Answer this honestly.”
He also shared photographs of government advertisements published in Urdu newspapers during the tenure of Yediyurappa and Bommai.
Explaining why government advertisements were published in Urdu, the Chief Minister said the objective was to communicate information about government programmes and schemes to people.
“It has been the practice since the past to publish advertisements in the language of the respective newspapers so that they reach more people. This helps readers understand the content clearly and ensures that the purpose of the advertisement is fulfilled,” he said.
Siddaramaiah further accused BJP leaders of hypocrisy, stating that they had issued Urdu advertisements not once or twice but dozens of times when they were in power. “At that time, they did not feel any discomfort. Now, the moment they see an Urdu advertisement issued by our government, their sudden love for Kannada has surfaced. This hypocrisy is embarrassing even to a gosling,” he said.
On Wednesday, the Karnataka government launched the Kusuma Sanjeevini programme, which provides prophylactic treatment for haemophilia patients, along with free ambulance services. Advertisements related to the programme were published in several newspapers, including Urdu dailies published from Karnataka.
The advertisements in Urdu newspapers were printed in the Urdu language, which subsequently became a bone of contention, triggering a political row between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP.
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Bearys education announces ‘campus connect & talent hunt 2026,' offers up to 100% scholarships
Mangaluru: Bearys Education has announced the launch of its “Campus Connect & Talent Hunt 2026,” scheduled to be held on April 11 at the Bearys Knowledge Campus near Mangalore University in Innoli.
The initiative, aimed at promoting academic excellence and student empowerment, will offer scholarships of up to 100 percent on tuition fees for meritorious candidates.
The programme seeks to identify and support students aspiring to pursue Pre-University Course (PUC), degree, engineering and architecture programmes.
The event is open to students from SSLC (Class 10), PUC (Class 12), Diploma and ITI streams, along with their parents. Organisers said the day-long programme will focus on guidance, engagement and opportunities for students planning their academic future.
A Talent Hunt Examination will be conducted on April 11 at 9.30 am, with eligibility extended to students completing SSLC and PUC in 2026. Based on their performance, candidates will be considered for scholarships of up to 100 per cent.
The event will also feature a career guidance and counselling session led by Ameen-E-Mudassar, CEO of CIGMA. In addition, a technical and science expo showcasing student-led innovations, along with a food festival, will be organised as part of the programme.
Organisers stated that the initiative reflects the institution’s focus on quality education, personality development and integrity, while marking over 120 years of educational service.
Interested participants can register before April 8 by scanning the QR code provided in the official announcement (provided below) or by contacting 89704 96949, 81239 04351, or 99000 66888.
