Vartha Bharati (Kannada: ವಾರ್ತಾ ಭಾರತಿ) also spelled as Vartha Bharathi, is a Kannada daily newspaper published simultaneously from Bangalore, Mangalore and Shimoga.[1] It was launched in August 2003. It is one of nine state level Kannada daily newspapers of Karnataka, as recognized by the Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Karnataka.[2]
Its main focus was to provide voice and due representation to the deprived and marginalised sections. Jnanpith and Padma Bhushan awardee U. R. Anantha Murthy was a great admirer and a regular contributor to this newspaper. In a public meeting, he called Vartha Bharati "The Guardian of Karnataka", saying that "The Guardian has created a revolution in the whole of its nation. In the same way, Vartha Bharathi is Karnataka's Guardian." Abdussalam Puthige,[3] the editor-in-chief of Varthabharati was inspired by veteran journalist Vaddarse Raghuram Shetty, who had launched Mungaru Kannada daily back in 1984.[4] Mungaru was well known for its generous policy of providing fair representation to all castes, communities and sections of the society. It left a significant mark in the history of Kannada journalism by identifying and nurturing several talents from Muslim, Christian and backward Communities.[5]
Numerous well-known Kannada leftists, social activists and Dalit ideologues, including U. R. Ananthamurthy, U. B. Banakar, Dr. Niranjan Aradhya, write regularly for the paper.[6] In 2017, a Vartha Bharati journalist was detained and served a showcause notice by the Dakshina Kannada police. The notice was later stayed by the Karnataka High Court.[7] In 2017, Vartha Bharati's social media page was blocked by Facebook. Though it was later restored, there was no clear explanation as to why it happened.[8]
Special issues
Copies of Vaartha BhaarathiHead office building at Baikampadi, Mangalore
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah released the 14th annual issue of Vartha Bharati at his office on 13 October 2016
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah released the 13th annual issue of Vartha Bharati at his office on 5 October 2015
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah released the 12th annual issue of Vartha Bharati at his office on 12 October 2014
N. Ram, the former editor-in-chief of The Hindu, congratulated the daily for being a voice of the weaker section of the society for over a decade.[13]
Siddaramaiah commended Vartha Bharati for espousing the cause of all sections of society despite being a newspaper with a Muslim management.[12]
Mahesh Bhatt lauded Vartha Bharati by saying "Secularism is still alive in India, and we need to raise our voices against anti-secularists, just as Vartha Bharathi is doing. Vartha Bharathi has been doing what each Indian needs to do."[10][14][15]
The book published by collecting the weekly column Bhoomi geete by the ecologist Dr. T.S. Vivekananda's won him the Karnataka Literature Academy Award for the year 2005.
