Mangaluru: A strong and growing demand has emerged to rename Dakshina Kannada district as Mangaluru district, with leaders from Congress, BJP, and JDS coming together in rare unity to support the cause.
Dayananda Kattalsar, Congress’s Rakshit Shivaram, BJP’s Kiran Kodikal, JDS’s Akshit Suvarna, and former MLA Moyiddin Bawa stood on a common platform, backing the renaming initiative.
The movement gained momentum after a widespread social media campaign, leading to the formation of the Mangaluru District Tulu Struggle Committee. This committee comprises members across political and religious lines, united by their cultural sentiment.
A crucial decision to push for the renaming was made during a Google Meet attended by over 600 people, which included prominent Tulu writers, researchers, religious heads, and folk experts. The unified demand reflects a collective desire to highlight local identity and Tulu culture.
Pro-Tulu organisations have been at the forefront of this campaign, advocating for a name that better represents the region’s heritage and linguistic roots. With growing public support, preparations are underway to take this demand to the state capital, amplifying the voices calling for change.
At a press meet, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the cause, stating that this movement transcends party lines and reflects the cultural aspirations of the coastal population.