Abbas Khan College Marks Kannada Rajyotsava with Vibrant Celebration, Calls for Year-Round Cultural Promotion

Bengaluru: Abbas Khan College for Women, under the Central Muslim Association (CMA), celebrated Kannada Rajyotsava with great enthusiasm, showcasing cultural pride, inclusivity, and a strong commitment to advancing Kannada language and heritage. Hundreds of students, faculty members, dignitaries, and guests attended the event, reaffirming the college’s decades-long tradition of commemorating Karnataka’s statehood.

The program featured music, speeches, cultural performances, and powerful messages on unity, linguistic pride, and civic responsibility. The institution emphasized that Rajyotsava must move beyond a symbolic annual celebration and become a sustained effort to strengthen Karnataka’s cultural identity, especially among younger generations.

ಅಬ್ಬಾಸ್ ಖಾನ್ ಕಾಲೇಜಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಭವ್ಯ ಕನ್ನಡ ರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ – ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಯ ಉಳಿವಿಗೆ ಬಲವಾದ ಕರೆ

CMA Reaffirms Lifelong Commitment to Kannada

Speaking at the event, Farook Mehmood, President of the Central Muslim Association, expressed deep pride in Karnataka’s heritage and called for promoting Kannada not just on Rajyotsava but throughout the year.

“We must celebrate Kannada culture every day and ensure that our children grow up understanding the richness of the language and state,” he said. He noted that Karnataka continues to offer vast opportunities in education, business, and innovation, and encouraged students to contribute to the state with dedication and civic values.

Mehmood stressed discipline, honesty, and respect for elders as essential qualities for building strong character and meaningful careers. He added that peaceful coexistence is the foundation of a progressive society, urging students to contribute to harmony and collective growth.

The program included musical performances by singer Chandni Gartikere, who rendered several Kannada compositions, and remarks by Mehroz Khan, whose speech, Mehmood said, delivered “powerful insights on Karnataka’s legacy and the responsibility of the youth.”

Language Policy Rooted in History

CMA Secretary Attar Syed Murtaza Hussain highlighted the association’s century-long contribution to Kannada education. He noted that the organization adopted Kannada as a compulsory second language in its institutions as early as 1918.

“Even though many Muslim students speak Urdu at home, we encourage them to use Kannada for a few hours every day, because in Karnataka, whether in schools, colleges, offices, or public spaces, one must know Kannada,” Hussain said.

He explained that Abbas Khan College has implemented a clear language policy, allowing students to speak only English or Kannada on campus. Teachers are instructed to explain lessons in Kannada until every student understands. “If we do not preserve our language, we risk losing our connection to our own identity,” he cautioned.

Hussain added that Muslim scholars and leaders have made significant contributions to Kannada literature and administration, emphasizing that the language belongs to everyone regardless of religion.

Rajyotsava Should Continue All Year: Mehroz Khan

Chief guest Mehroz Khan, Vice Chairman of the Guarantee Implementation Authority, Government of Karnataka, addressed the gathering with strong support for continuous cultural programs in educational spaces.

“Karnataka Rajyotsava must not be limited to a single day of hoisting flags and parades. Institutions should hold seminars, dance performances, music programs, and awareness events throughout the year,” he said.

Khan praised Abbas Khan College for celebrating Rajyotsava on such a large scale and called for similar initiatives across Karnataka, especially in minority institutions. He appreciated the disciplined participation of students and encouraged them to read and understand the Preamble of the Constitution, which he described as “one of the finest in the world.”

Strengthening Cultural Confidence

Principal Dr. M.S. Vidya pointed out a different challenge – Kannada speakers often underestimate their own language. She emphasized that non-Kannadigas should be taught Kannada gradually, while Kannada speakers must also remain open to other languages as part of cultural exchange.

“We cannot abandon Kannada to make others comfortable. The solution is mutual learning, not one-sided adaptation,” she said.

Music, Art, and Shared Celebration

Performer Chandni Gartikere expressed joy at participating in the celebration, praising the energy, decorations, and student engagement. She reflected that Karnataka’s musical traditions are widely loved and that programs like this help preserve cultural identity. “If such celebrations continue, Kannada culture will always remain strong,” she said.

With inspiring speeches, artistic performances, and a strong emphasis on civic life and linguistic pride, Abbas Khan College’s celebration reinforced the message that Kannada Rajyotsava is not just a day of remembrance but an ongoing responsibility toward Karnataka’s shared cultural future.