Former KSP chief demands a separate Tulunadu

At a time when people from North Karnataka have been demanding a separate statehood, former president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat Harikrishna Punarooru has called upon Tulu speaking community to come forward and fight for a separate Tulunadu.

A press release from Punarooru said that when the states were divided on the basis of languages, Tulu language was neglected. As a result, Tulu language has faced injustice and could not get the status in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.

“Tuluvas need to wake up and fight for their mother tongue. There are hundreds of people from Tulunadu living in Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Kasargod. Even people of North Karnataka are gearing up for a fight,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tulunada Rakshana Vedike Mangaluru Assembly constituency President M Siraj Adkare too demanded a separate Tulunadu state.

“The government has been meting out step-motherly treatment towards Tulunadu. In the name of huge projects, all attempts are being made to spoil the environment. The budget too has neglected Tulunadu,” said Adkare.

“Tulu is the second highest spoken language in Karnataka. In spite of this, the state government has failed to place the demand before the Central government, to include Tulu in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution,” Adkare pointed out with disappointment.