Tulu Language Row: Tulu Language Use in Gram Panchayat Meetings Sparks Controversy in Mangaluru

Mangaluru, June 21, 2025: The Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy has clarified that there is no legal restriction on using the Tulu language in gram panchayat meetings, addressing concerns over a recent advisory issued by the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat (ZP) administration. Taranath Gatti Kapikad, president of the academy, emphasized that elected representatives are free to use Tulu during discussions in gram panchayat general body meetings, as there is no statutory provision limiting the use of regional languages in such forums. He has urged the district administration to retract the advisory to ensure linguistic harmony and clarity.  

According to Prajavani, Udayavani Report, the controversy stems from a petition by Muralidhar, director of Yashasvi Nagarika Seva Sangha in Karkala, who urged the ZP CEO to prioritize Kannada and restrict the use of Tulu by elected representatives and officials during gram panchayat meetings. Acting on the petition, the ZP CEO issued a letter to taluk-level panchayat executive officers, directing them to take action "as per rules." However, Kapikad clarified that the CEO’s letter does not explicitly prohibit Tulu or mandate Kannada-only proceedings, but its ambiguity has sparked confusion and concern among Tulu language advocates.

“The letter has caused unnecessary confusion. We request its immediate withdrawal to maintain linguistic harmony,” Kapikad said, noting that Tulu, a Dravidian language widely spoken in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, holds deep cultural significance in the region. He stressed that the use of Tulu in local governance has been a long-standing practice in coastal Karnataka, where elected representatives often communicate in their native languages.

ZP deputy secretary Jayalakshmi Rayakod defended the CEO’s letter, stating, “There is no erroneous reference in the letter. Its contents have been misinterpreted. Language is a medium of communication, and people have an emotional connection with their mother tongue.” She emphasized that the administration did not intend to restrict Tulu but sought to address the petition in line with procedural guidelines.

The Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy has formally appealed to the district administration to retract the advisory, highlighting the need to preserve the region’s linguistic diversity. Social media posts on X reflect strong sentiment among Tulu speakers, with many calling for action against those responsible for the advisory, labeling it an injustice to Tulu language and culture.

The controversy underscores the delicate balance between promoting Kannada, the state’s official language, and preserving regional languages like Tulu, which is not listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution but enjoys a vibrant cultural presence in coastal Karnataka.

Keywords: Tulu language, Mangaluru, Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy, gram panchayat meetings, ZP CEO letter, linguistic harmony, Kannada, Taranath Gatti Kapikad, Dakshina Kannada, language controversy