Mangaluru: A report by a Karnataka govt-appointed committee on declaring Tulu a second official language is awaiting action, pending a cabinet reshuffle.Speaking to TOI, Dr Taranath Gatti Kapikad, president of the Karnataka Tulu Academy, said discussions on the report submitted in March can take place only after the new minister assumes office.He said the committee had earlier discussed the proposal with former chief minister Siddaramaiah and conveyed its recommendations. However, political developments prevented formal meetings and follow-up action.Kapikad said the report is likely to be taken up in the next assembly session. “We have been assured support by both the previous and current leadership,” he said.The committee studied Andhra Pradesh’s model, where Urdu has been implemented as an additional official language.“We visited Andhra Pradesh and examined how Urdu was introduced, including policy guidelines, administrative processes, and implementation at the local body level. Based on this, we have drafted and submitted a detailed report that Karnataka can use as a reference,” Kapikad said.He said the govt has been convinced about the cultural and linguistic significance of Tulu and expressed concern over preserving and promoting it.The Andhra model involved a phased rollout, initially covering select districts before expanding statewide, he said.Tulu is primarily spoken in Dakshina Kannada, parts of Udupi, and parts of Kasaragod in Kerala.Puttur MLA Ashok Rai said he is confident Tulu will soon be declared the second official language.He said he would take up the issue with the new minister and push for it to be discussed in the next assembly session. He added that he had already initiated efforts and was committed to seeing it through this year.Rai said implementation is likely to begin in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts before expanding gradually, following the Andhra Pradesh model.Committee visited AP in JanThe state govt-appointed committee studying the grant of additional official language status to Tulu visited Andhra Pradesh on Jan 19 and 20.The seven-member panel, chaired by KM Gayatri, state director, Kannada and culture department, and in the presence of Taranath Gatti Kapikad, president of Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy, held consultations with departments in Amaravati and NTR district.It met AP chief secretary Vijay Anand, officials of the minority welfare department, Urdu language bodies, and representatives from municipal bodies, police, educational institutions, and district authorities.The committee submitted its report to the department of Kannada and culture in March.
