📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Sudhirmanipal
Politics
Padmaraj Poojary rebukes Pratap Simha over Tulu language remarks in Mangalore
✍️ Mangalore Today
🗓 27 Sep 2026, 12:32 PM
👁 15
Union minister Padmaraj Poojary publicly criticised BJP MP Pratap Simha for questioning the push to grant Tulu official language status in Karnataka.
In a statement released in Mangalore, Padmaraj Poojary sharply condemned remarks made by BJP parliamentarian Pratap Simha regarding the demand to recognise Tulu as an official language of Karnataka. Poojary asserted that Simha’s comments undermined the cultural aspirations of the Tulu‑speaking community and called for respectful dialogue on the issue.
Poojary highlighted that Tulu, spoken by millions in the coastal districts, has long been seeking formal recognition in the state’s linguistic policy. He urged political leaders to support the community’s legitimate demand rather than dismiss it.
The controversy stems from Simha’s earlier observation that granting official status to Tulu could complicate administrative processes. While Simha did not elaborate further, his remarks triggered a swift response from regional leaders who view the language as integral to the coastal identity.
The episode adds to ongoing debates in Karnataka over language policy, where Kannada, Urdu, and other regional tongues also vie for official acknowledgment. No official response has yet been issued by the state government.
Poojary highlighted that Tulu, spoken by millions in the coastal districts, has long been seeking formal recognition in the state’s linguistic policy. He urged political leaders to support the community’s legitimate demand rather than dismiss it.
The controversy stems from Simha’s earlier observation that granting official status to Tulu could complicate administrative processes. While Simha did not elaborate further, his remarks triggered a swift response from regional leaders who view the language as integral to the coastal identity.
The episode adds to ongoing debates in Karnataka over language policy, where Kannada, Urdu, and other regional tongues also vie for official acknowledgment. No official response has yet been issued by the state government.