Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Karnataka Group Seeks Official Language Status for Tulu
A Karnataka group wants Tulu to receive official language status in places where many people speak it.
The group is called Karnataka Rakshana Vedike.
Its president, T. A. Narayana Gowda, spoke before a planned government cabinet meeting in Mangaluru.
He said the meeting could be an important moment.
The group supports people who want to protect and develop the Tulu language.
Gowda said Tulu and Kannada have grown together in coastal Karnataka for thousands of years.
He also said Tulu is an important part of coastal culture.
The government’s response to the demand was not stated.
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike president T. A. Narayana Gowda called the scheduled cabinet meeting in Mangaluru historic.
The organization demanded that Tulu be declared an additional official language in areas where it is spoken.
Gowda said the Vedike supports Tuluva people’s long-standing efforts to preserve, develop and promote Tulu.
He described Tulu as Kannada’s sister language, with both languages developing alongside each other in coastal Karnataka.
Gowda said Tulu is deeply connected to coastal life and has contributed to Kannada culture, literature and tradition.
- Who
- Karnataka Rakshana Vedike state president T. A. Narayana Gowda and Tuluva people.
- What
- A demand to declare Tulu an additional official language in areas where it is spoken.
- When
- Ahead of the scheduled Karnataka government cabinet meeting in Mangaluru; no specific date was provided.
- Where
- Mangaluru and the Tulu-speaking areas of coastal Karnataka.
- Why
- To preserve, develop and uphold the dignity of Tulu, which the group says is deeply connected to coastal life and culture.
- Organization
- Karnataka Rakshana Vedike
- Speaker
- T. A. Narayana Gowda, state president
- Demand
- Declare Tulu an additional official language
- Requested scope
- Areas where Tulu is spoken
- Government event
- Scheduled Karnataka cabinet meeting in Mangaluru
- Related language
- Gowda described Tulu as Kannada’s sister language
- Cultural claim
- Tulu and Kannada have developed alongside each other in coastal Karnataka