Karnataka accords second official language status to Tulu language
The Karnataka Cabinet has officially granted Tulu the status of a second official language and announced plans to rename Dakshina Kannada district to Mangaluru. Additionally, the government is upgrading the local fisheries college into a university.
Why it matters
These decisions reflect significant cultural and administrative shifts in Karnataka, addressing long-standing regional demands.
Fulfilling a long-pending demand, the Karnataka Cabinet decided to accord the second official language status to Tulu language , widely spoken in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, as well as in neighbouring Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga districts.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar made the announcement during the Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru on September 18, 2026
The Cabinet also decided to issue a draft notification inviting objections/ suggestions to rename Dakshina Kannada district as Mangaluru district.
A decision was also taken to bring in a separate tourism policy for coastal and Malnad districts, which will treat investments in tourism as infrastructure projects.
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