Bengaluru: The Kannada Development Authority (KDA) has launched a statewide initiative to introduce Kannada language education in around 2,000 madrasas.

At the launch of a Kannada language workshop for nearly 180 madrasa teachers, KDA Chairman Purushottam Bilimale underscored the importance of linguistic integration. “No community should be subject to humiliation through language. Any community that learns the state language gains the spirit to live harmoniously in the land they reside. Hence, it is vital for minorities to learn Kannada,” Deccan Herald quoted KDA Chairman Purushottam Bilimale as saying.

Bilimale said the initiative aims to foster better communication and mutual understanding among communities through the state language.

The KDA is working on publishing 100 books under the title, "Foundations of Kannada Linguistic Harmony" for student communities, which will be released soon.

Bilimale further proposed that the autonomous Urdu Academy be brought under the Department of Kannada and Culture to enable its more active involvement in such state-backed programmes.

U. Nisar Ahmed, Chairman of the Minorities Commission, announced that the KDA will soon implement Kannada learning across all 2,000 madrasas. He added that the authority would also be responsible for printing the syllabus for these institutions.

In response, Minority Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmed assured that the department would make the necessary arrangements to support the initiative.

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Udupi: Udupi City Police have arrested two persons, including a woman, in connection with the alleged misappropriation of property tax funds belonging to the Udupi Municipal Council.

The accused have been identified as Shalini, who was working as a tax consultant outside the municipal office, and Ganesh, a bank employee.

According to police, Anand Suvarna had paid Rs 34,730 towards 12 years of property tax for his building in Kalmadi to Shalini on October 16, 2025. She reportedly issued him a receipt acknowledging the payment.

However, when Suvarna recently checked the status of the payment on the property tax portal, he found that the amount had not been credited and was still shown as pending. He then brought the matter to the notice of the Municipal Commissioner, who verified that the payment had not been recorded.

During questioning, Shalini allegedly admitted to the lapse. On February 16, 2026, she generated a new challan in Suvarna’s name and paid Rs 35,213 towards the dues.

Police said a case has been registered at the Udupi City Police Station against the accused for allegedly misappropriating tax money and defrauding the government by affixing the seal of Union Bank on the challan without remitting the amount initially received from the taxpayer.

Further investigation is under way.