Varthabharathi

{{short description|Kannada-language islamic newspaper in India}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Use Indian English|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox newspaper

| name = Vartha Bharathi

| logo = Varthabharathi-logo.jpg

| logo_size = 250px

| image = VarthabharathiCover.jpg

| image_size = 240px

| type = Daily newspaper

| format = Broadsheet

| owners = The Community Media Trust

| founder = Abdussalam Puthige

| publisher = Abdussalam Puthige

| editor = Abdussalam Puthige

| chiefeditor =

| assoceditor =

| maneditor =

| newseditor = B.M. Bashir

| managingeditordesign =

| opeditor =

| sportseditor =

| photoeditor =

| staff =

| foundation = 29 August 2003

| language = Kannada

| headquarters = Mangalore, Karnataka, India.

| circulation =

| sister newspapers =

| ISSN =

| oclc =

| website = {{url|http://www.varthabharati.in/}}

| free = {{url|http://epaper.varthabharati.in/}}

}}

Vartha Bharati. also spelled as Vartha Bharathi, is a Kannada daily newspaper published simultaneously from Bangalore, Mangalore and Shimoga.{{cite web|url=http://www.jdyellowpages.com/Mangalore-yellow-pages/vartha-bharathi_oaksveuyrlq.htm|title=jdyellowpages.com}} It was launched in August 2003. It is one of nine state level Kannada daily newspapers of Karnataka, as recognised by the Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Karnataka.{{Cite web |title=Home - Department of Information and Public Relations |url=https://dipr.karnataka.gov.in/english |website=dipr.karnataka.gov.in |access-date=15 July 2022}}

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,{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/people-should-respect-all-religions-says-heggade/article3850393.ece|title=People should respect all religions, says Heggade|author=Staff Correspondent|work=The Hindu|date=2 September 2012}} the editor-in-chief of Varthabharati was inspired by veteran journalist Vaddarse Raghuram Shetty, who had launched Mungaru Kannada daily back in 1984.{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Noted-journalist-Vaddarse-is-dead/articleshow/150456674.cms|title = Noted journalist Vaddarse is dead | Bengaluru News - Times of India}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.daijiworld.com/chan/exclusive_arch.asp?ex_id=1374&ex_title=Vaddarse+Raghurama+Shetty+%3A+Remembering+a+Fearless+Journo|title=Vaddarse Raghurama Shetty : Remembering a Fearless Journo|work=daijiworld.com}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://twocircles.net/2008aug15/muslim_kannadiga.html#.VhEBBCuUfwg|title=The Muslim Kannadiga|work=twocircles.net|date=16 August 2008}} 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.{{Cite web|last=Ameerudheen|first=T. A.|title=In coastal Karnataka, arrest of journalist for 'false report' leads to claims of police vendetta|url=https://scroll.in/article/850189/in-coastal-karnataka-arrest-of-journalist-for-false-report-leads-to-claims-of-police-vendetta|access-date=13 September 2021|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web|last=Ameerudheen|first=T. A.|title=No clear explanation: Why Facebook blocked a Kannada newspaper twice in the last 30 days|url=https://scroll.in/article/843924/no-clear-explanation-why-facebook-blocked-a-kannada-newspaper-twice-in-the-last-30-days|access-date=13 September 2021|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US}}