The District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA), led by Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, resolved on Tuesday to formally recommend renaming Dakshina Kannada district to Mangaluru district.
Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja highlighted that a movement has begun advocating this change, with unanimous backing from all local MLAs. He emphasized that adopting the Mangaluru name could attract global attention similar to Bengaluru, fostering economic progress.
Supporting the proposal, the MP agreed that an official request should be submitted to the state through the Deputy Commissioner.
Meanwhile, the Mangaluru Jille Tulupara Horata Samiti announced intentions to advance this renaming demand. Former Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy Chairman Dayananda Kattalsar noted that historical paddanas and ancient texts never referred to the region as Dakshina Kannada. The British introduced “South Canara,” which evolved into the current name.
Kattalsar argued that residents commonly identify their roots as Mangaluru, not Dakshina Kannada. Historically, during the Vijayanagara Empire, the area was called Mangaluru Rajya, and in 1931, a proposal was submitted to the Zilla Parishat advocating the same.
He added that feedback from over 600 individuals—including leaders from multiple political parties—was gathered before reaching consensus.
KPCC General Secretary Rakshith Shivaram observed that the name Dakshina Kannada incorrectly implies a southern location, whereas the district is actually in the western region.
Creating the “Mangaluru” brand, he said, would benefit technology firms and entrepreneurs.