Dharmadhikari Heggade meets PM and Rajnath

Dharmadhikari Heggade meets PM and Rajnath

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sep 01, 2016: A delegation headed by D Veerendra Heggade, dharmadhikari, Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala called on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and home minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi on Aug 31, Wednesday,  Tulu language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, was the prominent matter.

It was clarified to the PM and home minister about the more than 2,800-year history of Tulu that belongs to the Dravidian family of languages.  In the talks that followed with PM Modi and Rajnath Singh, it was pointed that using techniques of Lexico-Statistics, scholars concluded that this language developed as an independent language since 8th century BC. Highly stylized classical literature has also developed in Tulu language. However, with all efforts, Tulu has not been included in the Eighth Schedule which currently contains list of 23 scheduled languages, out of which most belong to Northern parts of India.

Only four languages namely, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada belong to South India. Inclusion of Tulu language in the Eighth Schedule is a long pending demand of Tulvas, the delegation stated hoping the duo will do justice for this language. Recently, Tulu Wikipedia has been activated where more than 1500 scholarly articles uploaded. The delegation also handed over a detailed memorandum in this regard with all relevant supporting.

Though Tulu is one of the five Dravidian languages, unlike other Dravidian languages its speakers do not have a separate state. Tulu people have been living harmoniously with others over the years yet they have shown their individuality and uniqueness in culture and literature all over the world.  Tulu speakers have always left a distinct stamp in spheres wide spread. Janaki Brahmavara, president of Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy was a member of the  delegation too.