Karnataka’s two languages, Tulu and Kodava, should be granted official status by ensuring that they are included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, Congress MP B K Hariprasad demanded in Rajya Sabha on Friday.
As of now, 22 languages — listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution — are recognised as official languages. However, 16 languages including Tulu and Kodava are still out of its ambit.
Moving a private member’s Bill for amendment to the Constitution, Hariprasad said Tulu- and Kodavu-speaking people, who are in a minority in Karnataka, feel that "there is huge discrimination" as neither the state government nor the Centre recognises these as official languages.
Tulu- and Kodava-speaking people have made contributions in various fields at the national and international levels, and these languages need to be recognised officially, he said.
Supporting the Bill, Basavaraj Patil Sedam (BJP) said not only these two languages, but all 16 languages like Bhojpuri, Hindustani and Marwadi should also be included in the Eighth Schedule.
Speaking in favour of the Bill, Oscar Fernandes (Congress) even sang a few lines in Tulu after he was prompted by his colleague Jairam Ramesh.
Demanding the inclusion of both the languages in the Eighth Schedule, Fernandes said he used to communicate to a buffalo as a farmer by singing songs, which only the animal understood.
The gist of the song was, "If buffalo comes before you, it starts chasing you and you run away. You tame the animal and manage it."
As Fernandes sang the song, the members from both Treasury and Opposition benches were seen thumping their desks. Highlighting the relevance of these two languages in Karnataka's culture and tradition, Fernandes explained Yakshagana, a traditional theatre form that combines dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques with a unique style and form. This theatre style is mainly found in Tulunadu and the Malnad regions of Karnataka.
Published 07 April 2017, 20:15 IST