Karnataka's state anthem is set to undergo its first textual modification since being officially adopted in 2003, with a government-appointed committee recommending the inclusion of the word "boudha" (Buddhist) in the anthem's lyrics. The proposed amendment would add Buddhists to the list of religious communities mentioned in the abridged version of renowned poet Kuvempu's composition. The recommendation will take effect only after receiving formal approval from the Karnataka government.

Under the proposed revision, the second line of the sixth paragraph of the anthem will read, "Hindu kraista musalmana, parasika jaina boudharudyana," replacing the current version, "Hindu kraista musalmana, parasika jainarudyana." The revised wording symbolically includes Buddhists alongside Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Parsis and Jains, reinforcing the poem's message of communal harmony and inclusiveness.

The recommendation follows a long-standing demand from members of the Buddhist community. In 2024, representatives of the community had submitted a request to then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking the inclusion of the word "boudha" in the anthem. They argued that the addition would recognise the Buddhist community's place in Karnataka's diverse social and cultural landscape while remaining consistent with the inclusive spirit of Kuvempu's work.

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The committee's recommendation marks the first time that new words are proposed to be inserted into the anthem since it was adopted as Karnataka's official state anthem in 2003. While the anthem has undergone a few modifications over the years, those changes did not involve adding new words to the original composition. The latest proposal therefore represents a significant milestone in the anthem's official history.

Kuvempu's poem has long been regarded as a celebration of Karnataka's cultural diversity, linguistic heritage and secular values. The proposed inclusion of "boudha" seeks to further reflect the state's pluralistic identity by explicitly acknowledging another religious community within the anthem's lyrics. Supporters of the amendment have described it as a symbolic step towards greater inclusivity.

The recommendation will now be placed before the Karnataka government for consideration. If approved, the revised version of the anthem will become the official rendition used at government functions, educational institutions and other ceremonial occasions across the state, marking the first official insertion of new wording into the anthem since its adoption more than two decades ago.

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