EVALUATING THE SCOPE OF DISTRICT LEVEL ADMINISTRATIVE RECOGNITION OF THE KODAVA AND TULU LANGUAGES IN KODAGU, DAKSHINA KANNADA AND UDUPI DISTRICTS WITH RESPECT TO SECTIONS 2 AND 3 OF THE KANNADA OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ACT, 1963

AUTHOR – B.M NEHAN BELLIAPPA, STUDENT AT SCHOOL OF LAW, CHRIST (DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITY)

BEST CITATION – B.M NEHAN BELLIAPPA, EVALUATING THE SCOPE OF DISTRICT LEVEL ADMINISTRATIVE RECOGNITION OF THE KODAVA AND TULU LANGUAGES IN KODAGU, DAKSHINA KANNADA AND UDUPI DISTRICTS WITH RESPECT TO SECTIONS 2 AND 3 OF THE KANNADA OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ACT, 1963, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (2) OF 2026, PG. 376-386, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the scope of district-level administrative recognition of the Kodava and Tulu languages in Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi in the context of Sections 2 and 3 of the Kannada Official Languages Act, 1963. Karnataka is linguistically diverse yet Kannada is declared the official language for state administration. Kodava and Tulu, deeply rooted in their respective districts, have historically functioned as primary means of communication and cultural expression but lack formal administrative recognition.

The research problem addresses whether Sections 2 and 3 permit or restrict recognition of these minority languages at the district level.

The objective is to evaluate doctrinally the legal, historical and linguistic foundations for such recognition and to assess the role of judiciary in shaping the interpretation of minority language rights.

The research question asks whether Kodava and Tulu can be accommodated within the administrative framework without undermining Kannada’s primacy as per Sections 2 and 3 of the Karnataka Official Languages Act, 1963.

Methodology includes doctrinal analysis of statutory provisions, examination of relevant case laws including Mr N Shreyas v State of Karnataka, Linguistic Minorities Protection Committee v State of Karnataka and related judgments, and review of secondary sources that contextualize historical, cultural and linguistic trends.

Keywords: Kodava language, Tulu language, Karnataka Official Languages Act 1963, linguistic minority rights, district-level administrative recognition