Mandya, April 21, 2026: T. A. Narayana Gowda, President of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), stated that the contribution of Muslims to the Kannada land and language cannot be ignored by anyone and mentioned that there are more than a lakh Muslim activists in the KRV who are playing a major role in the protection of Kannada. He was speaking at the ‘Souharda Siri’ award presentation ceremony organized by the Muslim Bandhavya Vedike Karnataka held at Gandhi Bhavan in Mandya on Tuesday.

He opined that if he had not built the Rakshana Vedike and shaped thousands of activists from all communities into a community with a penchant for language, they would all have built religious organizations and been fighting each other. He expressed immense happiness that the Muslim Bandhavya Vedike has shown affection towards him by presenting the Souharda Siri award for the year 2026. He considered this an honor bestowed upon all Kannadigas through him and noted that such love and goodwill will stand as a great example for the unity and emotional integrity of Kannadigas in the future. He stated that he came to receive this award precisely because he did not want to be distant from the love and bonding of the Muslim society. He mentioned that he does not personally go to receive any awards and while hundreds of people come to his office with garlands to felicitate him, he sends those garlands to the Maramma temple, emphasizing that respect should be paid to values rather than individuals.

Continuing his speech, he said that it is necessary to have critics with us as they are the ones who correct and reform us, and only if they are with us can we grow even better. Responding to questions arising about the use of Kannada in Masjids, he explained that many people ask why there is no Kannada in Masjids. He stated that he has visited many Masjids, held discussions with the clerics there, and requested them to deliver sermons in Kannada. He added that in many Masjids he visited, he saw verses of the Quran installed on walls in Kannada. He said that if the entire meaning of the Quran is known to people in Kannada, misconceptions about Muslims will disappear, noting that lakhs of Muslims are working for the Kannada land and language.

Reacting to political parties, he opined that while all parties say they want to preserve and develop Kannada, it is organizations like Karnataka Rakshana Vedike that are truly fighting for Kannada, the Kannada caste, and the Kannada religion. Speaking about the meaning of religion, he quoted Basavanna’s Vachana, stating that there is no religion without compassion, and compassion is the root of religion. He defined religion as seeing a human being as a human being and loving fellow humans. Recalling his history of struggle, he mentioned that during two instances of the Cauvery struggle, his children were born while he was in jail, affirming that struggle is their life and the fight for the survival of Kannada is continuous.

Inaugurating the program, former Union Minister C.M. Ibrahim stated the need to increase political and educational awareness among people. He lamented that despite an annual income of about Rs. 8 lakh crore in the state, there is a lack of knowledge to use it properly. He said that his thoughts are coming into action through the Muslim Bandhavya Vedike. At the same time, advising to avoid political interference in the organization’s activities, he suggested keeping politicians away from the platform and inviting them to programs but not including them within the organization.

The program was presided over by Dr. Muhammad Shafi Mulla, Honorary President of Muslim Bandhavya Vedike. Retired Judge Nabirasool Mamadapur, Dr. Abdul Razzaq Ustad, Mandya District Muslim Union President Mukhar Ahmed, Anupama Monthly Editor Shehnaz M., Muslim Bandhavya Vedike President Zakir Hussain Ucchila, Secretary Rahmath Davanagere, and Honorary Vice President Ibrahim Saheb Kota were among the dignitaries present. Hayath Kargal presented the ‘Sirinudi’ while Anees Pasha welcomed the gathering and Musthaq Hennabail delivered the introductory speech. Maulan Hafiz Karkala recited the Quran. On this occasion, achievers from various fields including Abi Okkaliga from Mandya, Jagadish Janajane from Hassan, Rupesh Puttur from Dakshina Kannada, Rudru Puneeth from Davanagere, and Siddarama Kalmata from Ballari were honored.

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