Deccan Herald
 
Mangalore, Apr 22: The demand for Tulu statehood is still alive, said Kannada Sahithya Parishath former president Harikrishna Punaroor. 
 
Speaking after flagging off Tulu Ther by beating the drums, organised jointly by Tulu Dharma Samshodhana Kendra, Peroor, and Tulu Mithrer, Bangalore, here on Saturday, he said people’s repserentatives and government have done injustice to Tulu Nadu. Tuluvas should be united to rectify these injustice meted against them.

He said Tuluvas are not opposed to Kannada. But to fight against injustice meted on Tulu, people of DK, Udupi and Kasargod districts should unite.

With the entry of mega industries, the water and the land is getting polluted in the coastal district. This also has an impact on the Tulunadu culture, daivasthana and religious tradition. 
 
The Tulu Ther passed through Kulur, Surathkal, Mulky, Padubidri, Ucchila, Kaup, Katpady, Udupi and Brahmavar before reaching Barkur. The demands of the two organisations include High Court bench in Mangalore; autonomous status to Kasargod, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, introduction of Tulu in Primary school, running Mangalore-Bangalore passenger train in day time, and Tulu should be included in the eighth schedule of the Constitution. ‘Tulu Samshodhana Kendra Director Peroor Jaru, Tulu Mithrer’s M K Ravindra and others were present.