Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Oct 10: 'Appe Base Poormbaata Koota, Tulunadu' staged a protest demanding the state government to give proper recognition for Tulu language.

The protest was held near the clock tower here on Monday October 10.

Addressing the gathering, Tulu theater and movie director Vijay Kumar Kodialbail said, "It is really tragic to see that Tulu language has not got proper recognition. Our political representatives have failed to include the language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Various organizations striving for Tulu language should unite. As the language has not received proper recognition, even Tulu movies are missing various opportunities. Tulu speakers, irrespective of community and caste should come forward to support the language.”

Slamming district in-charge minister V Sunil Kumar and other representatives, he challenged them to seek votes from the public in Kannada language only.

Taking a dig at Tulu Sahitya Academy president Dayanand Kathalsar, he said, "It was very essential that Dayanand Kathalsar should have attended this protest, respecting our language. At least, he should have been present here by tendering resignation to his post to save the language.”

Tulu theater director and filmmaker Devadas Kapikad said, "People from Tulunadu are all over the globe. They have excelled economically, in education and in other fields. Including Tulu language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution should have happened long back."

He further said local theatres in the city are refusing screens for Tulu language and giving importance to Telugu and Tamil movies. He also said that people speaking Tulu should come forward to save the language and should make all efforts to include Tulu language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Dilraj Alva, president of Dakshina Kannada Bus Operators Association slammed Tulu Sahitya Academy and stated that the doors of Tulu Sahitya Academy should be shut, as it is not making any efforts to save Tulu language. He also said that the representatives who neglected Tulunadu and supported Yettinahole have been sidelined now.

Activist Rajani Shetty also spoke during the protest.

Convener of Appe Base Poormbaata Koota, Tulunadu Sudarshan Surathkal also demanded that the government should give proper recognition to Tulu language by October 25, if not the public of Tulunadu will give call for bandh in November.

Various Tulu organisations and actors from the Tulu movie industry were present.