#TuluOfficialInKA_KL Campaign Gains Momentum: Hopes Rise for Additional Administrative Language Status for Tulu Ahead of Mangaluru Cabinet Meeting

Bengaluru/Mangaluru:

Hopes have risen among Tulu-speaking communities that the Karnataka government may take further steps towards granting Tulu the status of an additional administrative language in the state.

With the historic Karnataka Cabinet meeting scheduled to be held in Mangaluru on September 18 at Praja Soudha in Padil, the long-standing demand for official recognition of Tulu as an additional administrative language has gained renewed attention across the state.

Twitter Campaign Draws Widespread Support:

Against this backdrop, Jai Tulunad (R.) Organization, along with various Tulu organisations, conducted a day-long #TuluOfficialInKA_KL campaign on X on September 15, urging the government to act on the long-pending demand.

Campaigners tagged the Chief Minister, concerned ministers, legislators and government departments, calling for legislative action to grant Tulu additional administrative language status. Tulu influencers and film personalities also expressed their support through posts on X.

The #TuluOfficialInKA hashtag also trended nationally in India during the campaign, according to campaign organisers.

Minister Responds to the Demand:

Responding to the campaign and the growing public demand, Karnataka Minister for Kannada and Culture Shivaraj Tangadagi stated through a post on X that the government is seriously considering the proposal to recognise Tulu as an additional administrative language.

The statement has further raised expectations among Tulu-speaking communities, particularly ahead of the September 18 Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru.

Expert Committee and Study of Other States:

An expert committee headed by Dr. Mohan Alva was constituted to undertake a comprehensive study of the history, literary heritage, script, ancient and modern literature, culture and inscriptions associated with the Tulu language. The committee submitted its report to the government on February 14, 2023.

Subsequently, on July 30, 2025, a special study team was constituted to examine models in other states where regional languages have been granted additional or second official-language status.

As part of the study, the team visited Andhra Pradesh on January 19 and 20, 2026, to examine its official-language framework and implementation mechanisms. The team subsequently submitted its report to the government in March 2026.

Tulu organisations maintain that Tulu is not merely a language of the coastal region but an integral part of Karnataka's rich linguistic and cultural heritage. They have urged the government to take concrete legislative steps for its recognition, protection and development.

The government has also reiterated its commitment to the preservation and development of the Tulu language, stating: “Yaan eepala janaklena bhavanele na ottugu ippuve” — “I will always stand with the sentiments of the people.”

With the Cabinet meeting taking place in Mangaluru, attention is now focused on whether the long-standing demand for additional administrative language status for Tulu will move forward through a concrete government decision.