Bengaluru/Puttur, August 1, 2025: In a notable advancement, the Karnataka government has established a five-member committee to evaluate the practicality of designating Tulu as the state's second official language. This body is set to review the linguistic policy structure of Andhra Pradesh, with the expectation to present its findings within a three-month timeframe, as mandated by the Department of Kannada and Culture.
The committee, chaired by Gayatri K.M., Director of the Department of Kannada and Culture, Joining her are notable figures such as Vanita, the Law Department's Deputy Secretary, Murthy K.N., a key player in the Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department also serving as a Deputy Secretary, Taranath Gatti Kapikad, the esteemed President of Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy, and Sudhakar Shetty, an esteemed member of the Karnataka Yakshagana Academy. Their collective objective? To journey to Andhra Pradesh and meticulously examine the rigorous criteria and streamlined administrative protocols that underpin the recognition of additional official languages within the state's framework.
“The committee is set to evaluate the necessary legal and administrative frameworks to establish Tulu as an additional official language, as stated by a high-ranking authority from the Kannada and Culture Department. This assessment is anticipated to lead to a substantial policy change, thereby bolstering the cultural and linguistic recognition of the Tulu-speaking populace,” reported a senior official.
This move emerges amidst increasing calls for Tulu's incorporation into the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, a demand that has been gaining momentum over the past few years. The committee's forthcoming report is expected to offer insight into the necessary procedures to enhance Tulu's status, which could potentially shape Karnataka's linguistic terrain in the context of impending policy choices.
Committee to Study Andhra Pradesh’s Language Policy
The demand for recognizing Tulu as the second official language of Karnataka, particularly prevalent in the coastal regions of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, has a storied history. Boasting a substantial population of over 18 lakh speakers as per the 2011 census data, this language is a bastion of cultural wealth, encompassing vibrant folk traditions such as paddana and yakshagana. The Karnataka government's recent move to examine the Andhra Pradesh model, which acknowledges Urdu alongside Telugu, signifies a positive and proactive stride towards addressing the persistent call for Tulu's official status.
Three-Month Deadline for Tulu Status Report
The panel, tasked with examining the linguistic policy framework of Andhra Pradesh, is expected to submit its report within three months, as per an order issued by the Department of Kannada and Culture.
“The committee is set to evaluate the necessary legal and administrative frameworks to establish Tulu as an additional official language, as stated by a high-ranking authority from the Kannada and Culture Department. This assessment is anticipated to lead to a substantial policy change, thereby bolstering the cultural and linguistic recognition of the Tulu-speaking populace,” reported a senior official.
This move emerges amidst increasing calls for Tulu's incorporation into the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, a demand that has been gaining momentum over the past few years. The committee's forthcoming report is expected to offer insight into the necessary procedures to enhance Tulu's status, which could potentially shape Karnataka's linguistic terrain in the context of impending policy choices.
Keywords: Tulu language, Karnataka second official language, Tulu committee, Andhra Pradesh language policy, Kannada and Culture Department, Gayatri K.M., Tulu Sahitya Academy, Yakshagana Academy, linguistic identity, coastal Karnataka