U.T. Khader, ‘the ambassador of harmony’ who is loved, trusted and respected by people of all castes and creeds, was born as U.T. Abdul Khader Fareed to the respectable U T family on October 12, 1969 in Thurthi, Uppala. Late Haji U.T.  Fareed, his father, contested four times from the Ullal Vidhan Sabha constituency, backed by the Congress party, and won all four times as an MLA.

Hawwa, U.T. Khadar’s mother, was from the famous ‘Kadabakar’ family and was a mother figure to all by her virtuous nature.

U.T. Khadar studied BA and LLB. He involved himself in social service and politics during his student life. He was the NSUI Dakshina Kannada District Unit General Secretary from 1992 to 1994, NSUI District President from 1994 to 2000, NSUI State Vice-President from 2000 to 2001, Ullala Youth Congress President in 2001 and All India Congress Seva Dal Instructor in 2002. He also served as Karnataka State Congress Secretary, Rajya Seva Dal Additional Chief Organizer and took up numerous other responsibilities at a young age which brought him a widespread appreciation.

His father, Haji U.T. Fareed, expired in 2007. When the by-election was held for the Ullala Vidhan Sabha constituency after the death of Mr Farid, the Congress party asked U.T. Khader to contest in that constituency. By winning the historic election in 2007, U.T. Khader became an MLA for the first time. Although his first term as an MLA was only for a few months, in that short period he became dear to the people of Ullal Constituency with his chivalric attitude. He won all the four consecutive Vidhan Sabha elections held in 2008, 2013, 2018 and 2023 from his hometown becoming ‘the invincible leader’. By contesting and winning elections 5 times in a row, he went on record as the only son of an MLA to win 5 consecutive elections.

His service to the state as the Health Minister from 2013 to 2016, Food and Civil Supplies Minister from 2016 to 2018, Housing Minister and Urban Development Minister in 2018 is highly commendable. U.T. Khader became KPCC spokesperson in 2020 and Deputy Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Vidhan Sabha Assembly in 2022. He was well known for his discipline in the Congress party. He proved his commitment to people by putting forward highest number of questions in the assembly; thus earning the ‘Sadana Veera’ award.

He was re-elected to the Vidhan Sabha for the 5th time after winning the 2023 Vidhan Sabha elections with a huge majority. A fitting tribute to Khader’s personality was given by his unanimous election as the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly by all members irrespective of varied party affiliations. Our community is proud to consider him the first Beary Muslim to rise to this most prestigious post. This recognition comes naturally to his friendly nature that loves all irrespective of caste, creed, religion and politics.