Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Karnataka Cabinet Grants Tulu Additional Language Status
Karnataka’s Cabinet met in Mangaluru and made several decisions for the coastal region.
It agreed to give Tulu special administrative language status in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.
Tulu is widely spoken in those areas and the decision followed a long campaign for recognition.
The government also started the process of changing Dakshina Kannada’s name to Mangaluru.
People will have one month to share opinions or objections about the proposed name change.
The Cabinet approved thousands of crores of rupees for development projects.
These projects include tourism, rural development, islands, fisheries, and a medical college.
The government hopes the projects will create jobs and strengthen the coastal economy.
The Karnataka Cabinet approved Tulu as the state’s second additional administrative language in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
The government began the process of renaming Dakshina Kannada district as Mangaluru, with public objections and opinions invited for one month.
The Cabinet approved coastal development proposals totaling Rs 32,611 crore, including Rs 16,000 crore for rural development, according to the reports.
Plans include developing 12 islands, creating a Fisheries and Blue Economy University, and establishing a Rs 549-crore medical college in Puttur.
A new coastal tourism policy will treat tourism projects as infrastructure and provide additional support to investors.
- Who
- The Karnataka Cabinet, led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, made the decisions after demands from Tulu-speaking residents, organisations, and elected representatives.
- What
- The Cabinet recognised Tulu as a second additional administrative language, began the proposed renaming of Dakshina Kannada as Mangaluru, and approved coastal development projects.
- When
- The decisions were announced on Friday at a special Cabinet meeting; the proposed district-name change is expected to be decided after a one-month public consultation.
- Where
- The meeting was held in Mangaluru, and the language recognition initially applies to Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. One report also said Tulu is spoken in neighbouring Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga districts.
- Why
- The language decision followed a long-standing demand for Tulu recognition, while the development measures aim to use the coast’s tourism, cultural, and natural resources to promote investment and employment.
Supporters and proponents
Consultation and implementation concerns
Tulu recognition
Supporters and proponents
Supporters and Tulu-speaking groups see administrative recognition as fulfillment of a long-standing demand and an opportunity for educational and cultural growth.
Consultation and implementation concerns
The government limited the decision’s administrative application to Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, while broader implementation may require further economic and legal consideration.
Renaming Dakshina Kannada
Supporters and proponents
The government said people identify the area internationally with Mangaluru and that residents have expressed a wish for the district to adopt that name.
Consultation and implementation concerns
The name change is not final; the government must issue a draft notification, collect public opinions and objections, and follow the prescribed procedure.
Coastal development
Supporters and proponents
The government says investment in tourism, islands, fisheries, rural development, and infrastructure can generate employment and make the coast a global tourism hub.
Consultation and implementation concerns
The reports indicate that the Cabinet still needs to address implementation-related matters, including investor support and the economic and legal framework for some measures.
- Language status
- Tulu was approved as Karnataka’s second additional administrative language.
- Initial geographic scope
- The administrative-language decision applies to Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
- Proposed district renaming
- Dakshina Kannada may be renamed Mangaluru after public opinions and objections are considered.
- Consultation period
- The government plans to invite public feedback for one month.
- Development proposals
- The Cabinet approved proposals valued at Rs 32,611 crore, according to the reports.
- Tourism policy
- The new Coastal and Malnad Karnataka Tourism Policy will treat tourism projects as infrastructure projects.
- Medical college
- A medical college in Puttur was approved at a reported cost of Rs 549 crore.
- Fisheries education
- The existing fisheries college intake is planned to rise from 60 to 200 seats, alongside a proposed Fisheries and Blue Economy University.
