India
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Karnataka grants Tulu second official language status
The Hindu··18 Sept
The Karnataka Cabinet on September 18, 2026 decided to accord second official language status to Tulu, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced in Mangaluru. The language is widely spoken in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, and in parts of Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga. The Cabinet also issued a draft notification inviting objections to rename Dakshina Kannada as Mangaluru district.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Tulu gains additional official language recognition in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts under the Cabinet decision.
- Public objections and suggestions will be invited on renaming Dakshina Kannada as Mangaluru district.
- Shivakumar said a renaming decision would follow public opinion and debate within a month.
What's Happening
- The announcement came at a Cabinet meeting held at Praja Soudha in Mangaluru.
- Ministers also approved a separate tourism policy for coastal and Malnad districts treating tourism investment as infrastructure.
- Mangaluru fisheries college is to be upgraded as a Fisheries, Marine and Blue Economy University with 200 seats, up from 60.
Why Tulu Was on the Agenda
- Shivakumar said the step answers a long-standing demand from undivided Dakshina Kannada.
- Hindustan Times cited Tulu as a Dravidian language spoken by nearly one crore people globally.
- He said the government would focus on people's lives rather than past governments' inaction on recognition.
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