Tulu is now an additional official language in Karnataka

Karnataka’s Cabinet has approved Tulu as an additional language for administrative purposes in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. The move will allow government offices in the two districts to use Tulu for administrative work, with the government allocating Rs 82 lakh annually for translation, training and related activities.

The decision comes after years of demands from Tulu organisations for greater recognition, including inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. The move also comes against the backdrop of Tulu’s cultural and political significance in coastal Karnataka. Pro-Kannada organisations, including Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, have also supported the recognition of Tulu while calling for the development of both languages.