Bengaluru, 7 July

Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker UT Khader Fareed’s humanitarian spirit sets him apart. He is known to convert his car into an “ambulance” on spotting an accident on his way. In the 2018 Assembly polls, he stood out as the only Congress MLA to win from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. In May 2023, at 54, he became the first Muslim and the second-youngest person to occupy the Speaker’s post.

In a freewheeling chat with Salar News, Khader says he has attained every position despite being from a minority community and at a young age.

1. What is your take on the controversy stirred by the BJP that no country has changed its Constitution’s preamble except India, and recently Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar said the insertion of the words “secular” and “socialist” during the Emergency was a “travesty of justice” and “sacrilege to the spirit of Sanatana”?

They have given their individual opinion, and it’s left to them. Ultimately, the Constitution is supreme for us. Whichever government comes to power at the Centre must run according to the Constitution, as it's not a book written by the United States. Therefore, nobody should speak against the Constitution, as doing so indirectly means disrespecting the country.

2. You are among the four State Assembly Speakers nominated to the National Committee of Presiding Officers, a panel constituted to deliberate on key reforms in the functioning of State Legislatures. Has the panel met, and what have been the discussions?
I'm one of the four Speakers on the committee, with my Maharashtra counterpart as the chairman. We have spoken over the phone, and the panel is scheduled to meet in the third week of August. We will discuss the Defamation Act and how to revive and strengthen it to protect elected
representatives.

3. One of the key concerns the panel is planning to address is political defections, which Karnataka has witnessed a lot in the past. How can this be curbed apart from the Anti-Defection Act?
In my opinion, the laws and rules guiding the Anti-Defection Act are only one part; everything depends on the person who occupies the Speaker's chair. All powers are vested in him, and he should be strict. This will ensure that no MLA dares to claim they can topple a government. As Speaker, if I come to know that there is horse-trading and MLAs are trying to defect, I will disqualify them. Let them go to court and challenge it.

4. As MLA of Mangaluru, you have sought “point of call” status (allowing international carriers) for Mangaluru International Airport from the Civil Aviation Ministry, though the Centre has turned down the demand, stating that new non-metro airports will not be granted the status. Does Mangaluru airport need this status?

A lot of flights come from various countries to Mangaluru International Airport, and it’s a hub for the southern region. Travellers from Kerala go to Kempegowda International Airport or to Kochi for international flights. To get the “point of call” status, land has to be acquired, and a decision made on whether it should be developed on a PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model. The Centre's stand is: if the project is given to a private party, why should the government acquire the land? Their contention is that they are only going to set up the infrastructure on a lease basis.

My stand is that coastal Karnataka is a land created by God, where beach and religious tourism can be developed. It has many educational institutions. Why should international travellers land in Mangaluru and go to Kerala for these?

5. As Speaker, you have taken several initiatives to improve legislators' attendance during sessions. These include arranging food and reclining chairs for short naps. Despite all this, why is attendance still thin?

The attendance of members is much better than before, but it may still not be completely satisfactory. First, we must understand why members don’t attend the Assembly. By the time they get ready by 10.30am. and have breakfast, people from their constituencies are waiting to meet them. I arranged breakfast at 9am. in the Assembly lounge and also provided lunch because many members used to go to restaurants during the one-hour lunch break. It would take them 30 minutes to go and return, and some would also visit the Legislators’ Home for a short nap. By providing lunch at Vidhana Soudha and reclining chairs for rest, they have no more excuses.
When one's dream is to become an MLA and voters have given that opportunity, why are they not attending the Assembly?

6. You are among the few Speakers who have not confined themselves to conducting proceedings in the House but have gone beyond, introducing badges for legislators with the Gandaberunda emblem, guided tours of Vidhana Soudha, and even setting up a dog shelter. What interests you in these activities?

During my visits abroad, I noticed elected representatives wearing their country’s badge. The state emblem, Gandaberunda, has a rich history, and I decided on the badges to help legislators be recognised as elected representatives outside.

As for the guided tours, there’s no better place than Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru for people to visit. It’s our duty to open it to the public. The tours provide an educational experience about the statues and the history of the secretariat. We’re currently running 12 to 14 tour batches on Sundays, second Saturdays, and national holidays.

My future plan is to introduce cultural activities on these days. Regarding the dog shelter, there are about 60 stray dogs within Vidhana Soudha premises. Some reactions have been positive, especially from dog lovers, while others worry about VIP safety. Every dog has a lifespan of 10–12 years, and most of these dogs are 7–8 years old. Since no outside dogs will enter, we can at least provide food and shelter to the existing ones. Some people have even decided to go to court on this issue.

7. Another interesting side to your profile is converting your car into an “ambulance” when you come across accidents. Can you recall one or two such incidents?

Helping people has been in my blood since school. In high school and college, I helped accident victims and, back then, had to visit the police station as a witness.

As an MLA, I once came across a couple who had met with an accident. I took them in my car—while the husband died, the wife survived.

As Health Minister, I was on my way to an Iftar party at Bangalore Palace when an accident occurred in front of me. The victims were senior citizens. I asked my driver to take them to the hospital and took an autorickshaw to the venue. The husband did not survive, but his son, who was in the U.S., met me days later and thanked me for enabling him to spend time with his father in the ICU.

As Health Minister, I abolished two things: hospitals demanding an advance before admission and the practice of requiring a stranger who brings an accident victim to visit the police station.

8. As a five-term MLA representing Ullal and now Mangaluru City, what are the reasons for the communal flare-ups in the coastal region?
As you know, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi are sensitive areas, and whatever happens is given a communal colour. It’s more about fear of each other than hatred. Revenge murders are not a solution. Bengaluru witnesses more murders, but they don’t take on a communal tone.

9. You have raised your voice against attacks on Muslims, but your stand advising students to take the legal route over the Bommai government's hijab ban was seen by many as a letdown, especially since Siddaramaiah, as Opposition leader, supported the students.

I am from Mangaluru and understand the situation well. Until the Bommai government issued the order, there was no problem with wearing hijab. An 11-year-old rule prescribing uniforms in schools and colleges, framed during the Congress regime, was revived.
After the order, the students should have attended classes. Instead, they stayed home, sat outside colleges, took selfies, abused lecturers, and began tweeting. They were instigated by some people, and from Mangaluru and Kundapur, it spread to other districts. These students had only six months to complete their course. Some minority-run women’s colleges even offered them seats, going as far as hiring all-women faculty. That’s why I asked them to go to court.

10. You are known for your non-confrontational attitude outside the legislature, building bridges by participating in Hindu festivals and rituals, even fasting during Nagamandala. But there’s discontent about your approach to Muslim community concerns?

Let anyone come and tell me that I have not addressed community concerns. Allegations can be made, and they’re made against everyone, including the Gandhi family. I ask through your media: has anyone approached me with a problem that I did not resolve?

11. Many see you as a Muslim leader representing the coastal belt. But that hasn’t fully materialised?

I want clarification: what defines a “Muslim leader”? What I am, nobody has seen. If something is wrong, I cannot say it’s right. If I do, I can become a leader easily. But we need to be a bridge between communities. If I join others in supporting a mistake — even if committed by my community, how will the bridge be built?

12. You have come a long way from being an MLA in 2007 to holding positions such as Minister, Deputy Floor Leader, and now Speaker. Which role or position has given you the most satisfaction?

When I was an MLA, I was happy to continue my social work. I was very active and had asked the highest number of questions in the Assembly. As a minister, it was day-and-night involvement in work. I'm not focused on any specific position. Whatever the post is, I am happy. Even if I don't hold any power, I will still be content.

My prayers to God are simple: to give me whatever brings happiness and peace. I have seen politics since my childhood — my father Haji UT Fareed was also an MLA. In my entire political career, I have never approached anyone with a recommendation letter. There have been instances when people said they would recommend me. I told them, “If it’s Allah’s wish, I will get it.” And I did. I received all these posts despite being from a minority community and at a young age.

13. After entering public life, have you continued your passion for participating in bike and car races?

I’m not a regular anymore but go once in a while. Three months ago, I participated in an off-road motorsport event (a form of racing involving modified vehicles) in Bengaluru. Occasionally, I take the car out for a long drive around midnight in Bengaluru, just so I don’t forget how to drive.

Watch full interview on Salar Digital YouTube: https://youtu.be/pf6YyzZfQBc?si=CiibHPWxT8LfgYG0