Bengaluru, Sept. 21 -- The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has demanded that the Karnataka government grant official language status to Urdu, following the state Cabinet's recent decision to accord Tulu the status of a second additional administrative language in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

In a statement, SDPI Karnataka State General Secretary Afsar Kodlipete welcomed the recognition granted to Tulu but questioned why similar seriousness had not been shown towards Urdu and Urdu-medium education in the state.

"Karnataka is a multilingual state and a confluence of diverse languages, cultures and traditions. Every language here has its own history, literature, culture and identity. Therefore, respecting the rights of one...