Kodavas should get united, says Vishwanath

Stating that Kodavas belong to a primitive tribe, MLC Adagur H Vishwanath urged the government to provide tribal status to the Kodava community, considering their unique culture.

Speaking during a seminar organised by Codava National Council, on the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, held at Capitol Village on the outskirts of Madikeri, he felt the need to carry out a scientific study on Kodava genealogy.

He also called upon the Kodava people to carry out united fights in this regard. He assured of raising the issue before the government.

“Sadly, the director of Karnataka State Tribal Research Institute (KSTRI), Mysuru, has hatched a conspiracy to fulfil his selfish motive,” he said and urged Kodavas to demand ST tag.

High Court advocate Lakkavalli Manjunath said that the director of KSTRI, who is handed over the responsibility of genealogical study of Kodavas, has been in the position for the past 10 years even though the term is only for five years.

This has given room for suspicion, he said.

Codava National Council president N U Nachappa said that the Kodava tribe which is facing the threat of extinction should be enlisted under Scheduled Tribes as per articles 340 and 342 of the Indian Constitution.

Kodava land should be awarded political autonomy, he added.

Virat Hindustan Sangam, Mumbai, national general secretary Jagadish Shetty said that Kodavas are patriots of a high order.

The government should take measures to protect the tradition of Kodavas. Provision of ST tag is necessary in this regard, he added.

Federation of Kodava Samaja president Kallichanda Vishnu Cariappa, folklore expert Bacharaniyanda P Appanna, Kushalnagar Kodava Samaja president Mandepanda Bose Monnappa and others were present.