Kannada to Be Taught in 2,000 Madrasas Across Karnataka, Says KDA

Bangalore Mail Staff Reporter

BENGALURU: In a significant step to promote linguistic harmony, the Kannada Development Authority (KDA) has announced a new initiative to introduce Kannada language education in nearly 2,000 madrasas across Karnataka. The programme was officially launched in Bengaluru with a training session for 180 madrasa teachers.

Speaking at the inauguration, KDA Chairman Purushottam Bilimale emphasized that learning Kannada would help minority communities participate more actively in Karnataka’s cultural and social life. “This initiative is aimed at strengthening communication and fostering mutual understanding among communities through the state language,” he said.

As part of the project, the KDA is preparing 100 educational books titled ‘Foundations of Kannada Language Harmony for Students’, which will be released in the coming months.

Bilimale also recommended that the Urdu Academy, which currently operates as an autonomous body, be integrated under the Department of Kannada and Culture. He pointed out that other language academies already function within the department and regularly organize cultural programmes, and bringing the Urdu Academy under the same umbrella would enable greater collaboration and participation.

Responding to the proposal, Minority Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan assured that his department would take the necessary steps to support the initiative. He also confirmed that Kannada lessons will be extended to maulvis working in mosques, further widening the reach of the programme.

This initiative is being seen as a landmark step towards promoting inclusivity and bridging cultural gaps across the state.