Karnataka's Congress government has sparked a political controversy by announcing plans to hold the first-ever Urdu Habba (Urdu Festival) on the steps of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on 9 November 2026, to mark Urdu Day. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly objected to the choice of venue, and Minister for Health, Family Welfare, Waqf and Minority Affairs U.T. Khader has since indicated the government would seek opinions and was open to adjustments.

What the festival involves

Minister U.T. Khader announced the event as a platform to showcase Urdu language, literature, heritage, books, cuisine, and diverse art forms to people across communities. Vidhana Soudha — Karnataka's imposing legislative building — was chosen as the venue, a selection that has become the focal point of the controversy.

The festival is intended as a first-of-its-kind state-backed celebration of Urdu, which holds official second-language status in several Karnataka districts with significant Urdu-speaking populations.

BJP's objections and key accusations

BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra, speaking in Kolar, accused the state government of pursuing 'divide and rule' politics by holding an Urdu festival at Vidhana Soudha at a time when, he argued, the Kannada language deserved prominence at such a symbolic state venue. He alleged that the government had contradicted its own stance by opposing the Centre's three-language formula on grounds of Hindi imposition, while now organising an Urdu festival at Karnataka's most iconic administrative building.

Vijayendra clarified that the BJP was not opposed to minority welfare, but maintained that development and welfare schemes must reach all sections of society equally. He warned that voters would deliver their verdict at the coming elections if divisive politics took precedence over development.

BJP MLC C.T. Ravi, reacting to the development in New Delhi, questioned the Congress government's consistency on language issues. 'Those who oppose Hindi should explain their stand now. They are citing Tulu's prominence and celebrating Urdu,' he said. Ravi asserted that Kannada was supreme in Karnataka and that a programme celebrating a language 'not connected to the state' should not be held at Vidhana Soudha.

Government response and uncertainty

Responding to the row in Bengaluru on Thursday, Minister Khader appeared to soften the government's earlier position. 'We will discuss whether to hold the programme or not. We will seek opinions, and we are ready to make adjustments,' he said. The statement leaves the event's final format — and indeed, whether it proceeds at Vidhana Soudha at all — uncertain.

Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara distanced himself from the decision, saying he had no information about the matter. 'This matter has not come to my knowledge. I do not have any information,' he said — a remark that critics argue suggests a lack of coordination within the state cabinet.

Broader political backdrop

The controversy comes amid ongoing tensions over language politics in Karnataka, where the ruling Congress has been navigating competing demands from Kannada, Urdu, Tulu, and other linguistic communities. The BJP's framing of the event as minority appeasement reflects a broader opposition strategy ahead of future state elections. Notably, the debate has also reignited discussion over whether non-Kannada cultural events should be staged at Vidhana Soudha, a venue widely regarded as a symbol of Kannada pride and Karnataka's legislative identity.

With the event scheduled for 9 November 2026, the coming weeks will likely see further consultations — and political pressure — before a final decision is made.