Demand to rename Dakshina Kannada as Mangaluru district

NT Correspondent Mangaluru: The Tulupara Horata Samiti, a regional organisation based in coastal Karnataka, on Tuesday urged the state government to rename Dakshina Kannada district as Mangaluru district, ar guing that the new name would better reflect the identity and administra tive significance of the region's central city. Addressing reporters here, Samiti leader Day ananda Kathalsar said the name "Dakshina Kan nada" was a colonial legacy and does not represent the linguistic and cultural aspirations of the local population. He claimed the change would pro mote regional pride and Recently, the cabinet had approved the renaming of Bengaluru Rural district as Bengaluru North. administrative clarity. Kathalsar also high lighted that several districts in Karnataka, such as Bengaluru Urban and Mysuru, bear the names of their principal cities and said Mangaluru deserves similar recognition. The Samiti plans to submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Sidda ramaiah and relevant officials, seeking prompt action. The demand has sparked fresh debate in the coastal region, where identity and linguistic pride are politically significant. The government has not yet responded to the request. However, the issue is expected to draw attention in upcoming assembly sessions, especially amid calls for decentralisation and cultural representation in district governance. Recently, the Karnataka cabinet had approved the renaming of Bengaluru Rural district as 'Bengaluru North'. The proposal was cleared at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah atop Nandi Hills on July 2.