Tulu Language Row: ZP Letter Triggers Stir, Officials Clarify No Ban

Mangaluru: As demands to grant Tulu official language status continue to gain momentum, a letter from the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat (ZP) to taluk panchayat officials has ignited a fresh dispute.

The controversy arose after Muralidhar, convenor of the Karkala-based Nagarika Seva Sangha, appealed to the ZP CEO to ensure that Kannada takes precedence over Tulu during gram panchayat meetings. He claimed that both officials and elected members should refrain from speaking Tulu in these forums.

Acting on this, the ZP office circulated the # request to all taluk panchayat (TP) executive officers, directing them to examine the matter and act per regulations. Once this directive became public, it attracted backlash on social media, with users urging Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to intervene.

Critics strongly objected, pointing out that Tulu is a native tongue of coastal Karnataka. Former Union Minister D V Sadananda Gowda posted online questioning if other languages like Urdu would be similarly restricted.

It was noted that Tulu is routinely used by MLAs in the state Assembly, and since U T Khader became Speaker, it’s even been spoken from the Speaker’s chair—highlighting its recognized status.

Taranath Gatti Kapikad, president of the Tulu Sahitya Academy, clarified that no legal provision prohibits the use of Tulu in local meetings. He added that the confusion stemmed from poor phrasing in the letter, not an actual directive to ban the language.

Deputy secretary Jayalakshmi echoed the sentiment, confirming there is no ZP order restricting Tulu—only a forwarded complaint for local assessment.