Karnataka SDPI Seeks Urdu Language Status After Tulu Language Recognition
BENGALURU: The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has asked the Karnataka government to grant Urdu official-language status after the Cabinet’s recent decision to recognise Tulu as the state’s second additional administrative language in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. The Karnataka SDPI demand was raised on September 21, three days after the Cabinet decision announced in Mangaluru.
The Tulu language decision applies specifically to the two coastal districts and does not replace Kannada as Karnataka’s principal official language. The state government presented the measure as recognition of a long-standing demand from communities in the coastal region.
SDPI Links Urdu Demand To Tulu Decision
The Karnataka SDPI state leadership has called for comparable recognition for Urdu across Karnataka. State president Abdul Majeed wrote to Chief Minister D K Shivakumar seeking official-language status, while state general secretary Afsar Kodlipete also said Urdu and Urdu-medium education should receive greater attention, according to Public TV.
The party welcomed the Tulu language decision but questioned why Urdu had not received similar consideration. Its representation calls for greater use of Urdu in public administration, including access to applications and official information.
The Urdu language status demand is therefore being presented by SDPI as a question of linguistic recognition and access to government services. It is separate from the Cabinet-approved decision concerning Tulu.
Karnataka Cabinet Approves Tulu Measure
The Karnataka Cabinet approved the Tulu language measure at its September 18 meeting in Mangaluru, chaired by Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. The decision makes Tulu applicable for administrative purposes in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.
The Cabinet meeting was the first held in Mangaluru. It also cleared several projects and policies concerning the coastal and Malnad regions, meaning the language announcement formed part of a broader set of decisions.
The development follows other changes in Karnataka’s political administration, including a Karnataka Cabinet resignation earlier in the year.
What SDPI Is Asking For
The Urdu language status proposal goes beyond cultural recognition. SDPI has raised concerns about Urdu-medium education, including the availability of teachers and educational resources, and has asked for wider access to government information and services in Urdu.
For the Karnataka SDPI, the immediate question is whether the state will consider Urdu for official use after providing Tulu with additional administrative recognition. The party has framed the request around Karnataka’s multilingual population and the position of Urdu-speaking residents.
The Urdu language status question now depends on the state government’s response. No decision granting Urdu additional official-language status had been announced by the Karnataka government as of September 21.
The Tulu language recognition, meanwhile, remains limited to the administrative use specified for Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. One development is a completed Cabinet decision; the other remains a political demand awaiting a government response.
