State's support for Tulu in 8th Schedule cheers Tuluvas

Activists launch Twitter campaign until demand is fulfilled

The state government’s decision to recommend to the Centre to include Tulu language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution has been welcomed by people fighting to save the language.

“The days are not far away when Tulu is included in the Eighth Schedule,” said A C Bhandary, president, Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy.

Benet Ammanna, a member of the academy, said Tulu’s inclusion in the Eighth Schedule would be a real gift for Tuluvas (Tulu people).

Pancha Dravida languages
“Tulu is one of the Pancha Dravida languages, alongside Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. There are more than 1.5 crore Tulu speakers all over the world. Besides, Muslims, Christians and other minorities living in Tulunadu speak Tulu outside home,” he said.

“The demand for including Tulu in the Eighth Schedule is fully justified.”

Like-minded people have come together to form Jai Tulunad, an advocacy group, until Tulu is included in the Eighth Schedule. The group has launched ‘Tweet Tulunad’, a campaign to draw the attention of state and Central governments. Its members keep tweeting with the hashtag #TuluTo8thSchedule.

“We decided to launch the Twitter campaign following the Centre’s stand that the state government is yet to forward the necessary file,” said Ashwath Tuluva, president, Jai Tulunad. “By 7.30 pm on Thursday, we received 24,000 messages,” he added.

Karnataka allocates funds
In June 2014, a six-member committee headed by Kannada writer Baragur Ramachandrappa submitted a 68-page report with 44 recommendations on framing a cultural policy for Karnataka. One of the recommendations is to press for inclusion of Tulu in the Eighth Schedule. On August 7, 2017, the state government decided to release Rs 59.68 crore for implementation of the policy in 2017-18.


8th Schedule benefits

•  Special funds from the Central government.
•  Recognition from Sahitya Akademi.
•  Translation of Tulu literary works into other languages.
•  Teaching of Tulu in primary and high school.
•  Option to take competitive exams in Tulu.
•  MPs and MLAs can ask questions in Tulu in Parliament and the Assembly.