In a significant development, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has expressed his willingness to address the demands of the people from coastal Karnataka to recognize Tulu as the second language of the state. 

During the inauguration of the Bengaluru Kambala Samithi event, Siddaramaiah commended the efforts of the Samithi in bringing the traditional buffalo race, Kambala, to Bengaluru. Taking a dig at former Kannada and culture minister Sunil Kumar, the CM highlighted the need to discuss Tulu's status as a second language with the present minister. 

Although initially skeptical about hosting Kambala in Bengaluru due to its association with the coastal region, Siddaramaiah acknowledged the city's significant population from coastal Karnataka. Impressed by the large turnout, he encouraged the organizers to make the event an annual fixture in November or December.

While there have been calls to ban Kambala and Jallikattu, the CM stated that his government has previously supported these traditional races. To further support Kambala, the government has announced a financial grant of Rs 1 crore, with an immediate release of Rs 5 lakh. Additionally, the government will allocate a plot in Bengaluru as requested by the Samithi for hosting cultural events.

Speaker UT Khader also appealed to the CM to grant recognition to Tulu. He highlighted the efforts of Puttur MLA Ashok Rai in defending Kambala against animal welfare organizations. The event was inaugurated by former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar.

The CM's openness to considering Tulu as Karnataka's second language reflects the state's commitment to preserving and celebrating its rich cultural diversity.