Codava Profile

SOLACE

It is absolutely necessary that govt. of Karnataka and all other authorities concerned touching Cauvery water, release white paper on distribution of Cauvery water, especially its share to Coorg.

The Cauvery River water agitation now going on in some parts of Karnataka is expected to come to an end when the Cauvery River Authority decides the issue. You alone are capable of mitigating the pains of Coorg. Therefore I hereby request you to examine the attending circumstances with judicious perspective and direct the Government of Karnataka to allot our legitimate share of thirty seven TMC ft. water to Coorg District at once and call a stop the step motherly treatment that is being meted out to this District.

Illegal conversion of traditional Jamma lands into forest only in order to compensate the loss the forest lands distributed to immigrant colonialists by the patronage of Karnataka administration. The treacherous behaviour of government of Karnataka could very well be gauged from a fact that the large number of people from Kannada main land have been infiltrated into reserve forest with in the boundary of Codava Land as to make it appear that such ones used to be the original settlers therein and when forest became shortened, the government of Karnataka thought it fit to convert our inherent, traditional, sacred lands and also Jamma Malais into government forest in order to recompensate the loss of forest lands.

Internal colonialism

This is one example of internal Colonialism' perpetrated by the government of Karnataka in Codava Land in order to see that the original inhabitants i.e., Codavas fled the place. The scheme as may be expanded, the infiltrators who have been introduced into Codava Land from Kannada main land became the naturalized people of Codava land and only such ones were given employment and such other help by the govt. Preference to the Codavas forcing them to leave for other places in search of employment and for living. The funniest thing is that those infiltrates who were expected to be naturalized into Coorg left all the units i.e. schools and medical establishments etc., Each of them have been facilitated with job opportunities to their original Kannada main land, but the government wantonly refused to restore such units and programmes to Codavas with an intention that Codavas should never come back, no matter even if such units permanently closed or rendered into disuse.

Imported tribes representing local body’s and legislative bodys from Codava Land The Government of Karnataka slapped by making Virajpet constituency to be reserved. One exclusively for tribes, say for Imported tribles, even though there happen to be no tribes men except the unrecognized indigenous ancient tribles i.e., Codava's living in Virajpet in large numbers.

The government could have and should have reserved electoral constituencies for scheduled tribes in such places where they reside in large number elsewhere for example Hunsur, H. D. Kote. Yelandoor, Gundlupet and Bandipur ect. in Karnataka except Codava land. As though to aggravate the situation the governments both central and State are stealthily making preparations to treat Virajpet constituency as scheduled area under Buria commission report. Should this becomes a reality, where are Codavas to go? Will the government of Kamataka reserve the Mysore city assembly constituencies and Bangalore North parliamentary constituency for Codavas Where Codavas reside in large numbers nowadays? This does not stop with it Even village Panchayath Constituency in relation to exclusive Codava hamlets and villages for example surlabbi Nad, Kuth Nad, Muth Nad, Badigeri Nad and Mare Nad etc., have been reserved for schedule tribe whom the respective Political parties import tribes from else where in Karnataka only after the elections are notified. Codavas have been trampled upon even in such cases also.

Take for example the Sikkim Government has reserved "Sangha" Assembly constituency exclusively for Buddist monks even though there are only about 2500 voters, during the accession of Sikkim to India and even Buthiya and Lepcha minority groups political representation protected at sikkim by according special guarantee under article 371 F of the constitution of India , but Codavas are foreigners in our own home land. No reservation is made for Codavas, leave alone Parliamentary or Assembly constituencies even a smallest village panchayath constituency also. Codavas are being treated as Refugees in our own home land.

Unemployment -ethnic cleansing of Codavas :

The process of the ethnic cleansing has resulted in forcing out Codava youth from employment systematically by the successive Governments. Now a situation has been created to the effect that a Codava youth leaves his home land on account of the inability, nay refusal, of the authorities to provide him/ her with a job. Today they have no security for their life and no protection for their land. Due to the deprival of employment & education opportunities and facilities by Karnataka, large chunk of Codava youth are migrating from their home land.

The dichotomy of cultures is not something new, Codava land has been in constant conflict with change, first during the aggression of Ikkeri rulers of Keladi dynasty from Shimoga then British Raj and later independence and after amalgamation. State reorganization transported a large number of immigrants from Kannada main plain land and other neighbouring states as well. Who settled here and swamped the Codava culture with their own.

Nehuruvian Socialism & how Codavas suffered thereafter

No doubt, from time immemorial each Codava family owned Okka, held and enjoyed landed properties of varied extents each and the same has been succeeded by lineal descendents from generation to generation, of course due to continued family divisions during passage of time the holding each branch now enjoys also has narrowed down pro rata, and even now being enjoyed by Codavas, some owning larger extents and more and some very small extents. In a sense every Codava is a land holders, but of course a very small number of us may be classified as rich land holders a good majority of Codavas owning landed properties could hardly fall backup on it on account of its smallness or other inevitable factors.

Consequent to the land reforms legislation contemplated during the Nehruvian era) we may safely call it as Nehruvian Socialism, a person owning or having been granted with ownership rights, even a person having a very small track of land could boast himself as a land lord, say two cents of land could boast himself as a land lord, Codavas perhaps are the only class of people who had to bear the brunt of the anomaly caused on that score. Since the Govts. Started taking into consideration about the citizens owning properties however much small it is, Codavas generally also have been included in such a malicious definition. The net result is a Codava holding such small piece of land unworthy of cultivation or could be considered as sufficient enough to fall back upon, became a direct victim and is not in a position to eke out his livelihood from such land or hope to secure decent employment and logical result is that he has been forced to burry himself alive under neat the very small extent of land he holds.

On account of the failure or refusal of Govts. to classify Codavas, even though Codavas all qualifications to be considered so, as primitive ethno linguistic minority tribes in the manner as did with the tribes in North Eastern regions of our nation. Codavas have been methodically segregated from rest of such groups and are left unrecognised., Neither Codavas eke out a decent living from their respective lands nor could they hope to keep their heads above shoulders. A cursory glance at the things what have happened in relation to such and similar ethnic or tribal groups in north eastern frontiers will only suggest an undeniable fact that the Nehruvian Socialism has never been allowed to be implemented in relation to the land holdings of such groups, but instead the traditional and customary practices are still continued in relation to inheritance and what more, the constitution of India without mincing the words assures special guarantee under articles 370/ 371of our constitution in relation there to. Should such a special guarantee had been given to Codavas as has been done in relation to people of Kashmir and the tribal national constituents hebetating in North -Eastern region of our nation, things would have been different and we Codavas certainly could have made an indelible mark in the history of modern World.

Codavas should not be subjected under Hindu succession Act .-

Application of Hindu law -a case in favour of discontinuation of the same to Codavas The other crude factor of these anomalies is that Codavas have been treated has Hindus under various legislations concerning Hindus even though Codavas could never be identified as Hindus proper. The religious practices, nuptial practices, inheritance and general, social or private behaviour of Codavas from time immemorial has been our own independents of anything connected with Hinduism or Brahminical scripts. The very existence of Codava’s social structure has been obliterated on account of the application of Hindu law, especially inheritance, decadency and succession, marriages and land holdings, and it is necessary that our personal law and practices require restoration and special guarantee under constitution definitely seems to be an urgent need at the movement. (State legal system should not swallow of the age old customary folk legal system of Codavas for which protections enshrined in U.N. charter.) Prof. T.K Oommen -The Awantgarde social thinker Prof. T.K. Oommen has this to say regarding the re defining of the folk legal system and religion's legal system. He suggests that State legal system should not harp on discouraging the ethno national groups, tribes and minorities practicing their age old folk legal and customary laws and systems and that it is in contravention to the sentiments as are enshrined in the U. N .Charter. Since Codava practices are unique in its own, the same shall be protected

Anomalies of common law touching Codavas :

Traditionally Codavas are a cloistered group of clannish societies habitating everywhere in Codava Land, each family restricting to a certain given track of land, may be big or small, and the Ainmane functioning as the power house of each given Okka, each and every person claiming descendancy from a common ancestor identified himself to be a necessary component of the Ainmane of the family which he belongs to and such a thing has proved itself to be a disastrous mischief consequent to the application of common law, especially in relation to the places of worship.

Residents and land holdings.

For instance, if an enumerator who has been engaged to collect data regarding the places, normally every Codava would always mentions his address as of his Ainmane rather than anything else and naturally so, no mater, even if any given Codava has no independent and separate house of his own, the enumerator without applying his brain would mechanically mention about such and such a person residing in Ainmane. There is yet another painful matter also. At least half the numbers of the Codava families do not even have Ainmane of their own, but the rickety house that a great grand father had built and which houses all his descendancy is being identified as their house individually by all the members of the family and the enumerators lacked prudence to mention such an undeniable fact in their report. Mechanically they have mentioned the statement of each and every such components without examining the real back ground and the Govt. records mentions about each and every member owning a separate house of his own in reality it was the opposite of the case. This kind of treatment actually played mischief. Poor Codava could not avail the benefits of housing schemes envisaged by the Govts, but in the alternative the Govt. considered every such member to be affluent and wealthy on par with others. Even though one hundred at least such other persons have also mentioned about their having been residing in Ainmane, the enumerator doesn't take pains to ascertain the real picture by making personal investigation into such a statements and what follow is that one hundred Codavas are considered to be owning Ainmanes and or other individual private houses. Due to such a factual mistake caused deliberately by Govt. officials, nearly every Codava has been avoided from availing the benefits of owning separate housing tenements under various schemes evolved and envisaged by Govts.

Cursed Codavas Scholars

In order to earn personal embellishments and with a solitary intension of the projecting themselves as rich Codavas, many of Codava scholars who have attempted to obtain encomiums and accolades from the Govt. or general public unreasonably have characterised and painted the Codavas as a richer and economically wealthy class in their doctoral thesis without ever attempting to ascertain the real fact by meeting people are going places. In other words 60% of the lands originally held by Codavas, now is being owned by rich Chettiars and others and such ones are the richest and wealthiest people in Codava Land just now. Unfortunately none of them are Codavas. The picture characterised by such of unimaginative reports submitted by these self centred, egoistic and near psychic Codavas scholars certainly has influenced the Govt. authorities in order to arrive at a finding touching Codavas as has been mentioned above.

Codava Patels did not lag behind in perfidy

One other factor, may be true it sounds like quixotic at once, is that the damage caused by erstwhile Codava patels who reigned supreme in any given village on account of their holding governmental office in the revenue departments immediately after the merger, (1956) and for about a span of 15 years has been havoc (1956 to 1972) . Instances are not far and few when these patels, instigated, provoked and designed by the bureaucrats of newly emerged state of Vishal Mysore, did not even thought fit to know imagine the thing they were doing to be patently illegal, immoral and diabolic to the interests of Codavas, have even forced Codavas to facilitate sacred traditional proprieties to converting the shelter for vote bank immigrants colony for the sake of bottle of foaming Bollekkall and a steaming naadkoli coupled with the false friendship of those officers and agents of old Mysore politicians, needless to add that by so conniving with the new ruling class the Patels did help those Mysorians infiltrate into Codava Nad and established their Colonies here and there by ousting Codavas for ever from their homeland. Instead of opposing the implementation of newly enacted draconian land legislation against Codavas and their inabilities to educate people regarding the special provisions of Coorg Land revenue Regulations. By using these Codava patels as their cloy, the old Mysore legislators, bureaucrats and richer class succeeded in scheming Codavas to part with their sacred land, heritage markers, including Ainemane, Kaimada, Thootngala, Kyakola, Machinicad Mand, Maani and Devakad etc, for a song or without any recompense and even a farcical title.

Kannadigas unjust aggression for supremacy and Codavas legitimate struggle for liberation

The pages of history are full of lessons with the liberation being obtained by those people against whom step -motherly attitude, and second grade citizenship was meted out. The struggle for supremacy and struggle for liberation have been simultaneously going on and this struggle is all unending one This has been the case in the mythological era; also in the prehistoric periods, in the recorded history and is continues even to this day. In Indian Mythology, it is the lesser beings who have ultimately won. The Mahabharatha is full of stories where the lesser beings have become victorious and the theme emphasized is" Truth along Triumphs'. we are not here to discuss such controversial things. With much pain in the heart, the (CNC) Codava National Council, wants to attract the attention to the present facts and circumstances of the state of affairs of the disintegrated and to be born again as an autonomous Codava Homeland. It beyond all doubt, is very pertinent here that, India is a signatory to the Declaration of Human Rights, convention of 1972, held in Stockholm. As a vociferous Advocate of the liberation movement's, India is not a mere signatory to the said convention where all civilized countries have singed in the said declaration. The then external affairs Minister of the Government of India Mr. V.K. Krishna Menon, spoke at length that, freedom should not be denied to any person or persons or group or groups or any ethnic entity. India had partially participated and physically, philosophically, materially and militarily helped the freedom movement of Bangladesh, from Pakistan and became champion of Liberation Movements, which is now a part of history. It is unfortunate that the Government of India is now meting out a step- motherly attitude without considering the genuine demands of the people of Codava Land for a Autonomous Home Land of their own with in the dominion of India. The so called political leaders, who assume power, and who call themselves as statesmen, respond immediately to those freedom movements who indulge in violence and challenge even the sovereignty and suzerainty of the Government of India, like Hizbul Mujahideen of Kashrnir, National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) and Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT) etc. The then the Prime Ministers of India, this largest democracy in the world M/s .D. Devegowda, Mr. I.K. Gujral, have gone to the extent of initiating a dialogue with the NSCN Supremo Issac -Muiva, at Zurich in Switzerland and at Atlanta of Georgia region of USA. Atal Bhihari Vajpai and Advani duo followed the suit and welcomed them to India and even accorded red carpet welcome to NSCN supremo Isac- Muiva at the same time they and the other politicians at the helm of affairs are ignoring the right of self determination movement of the CNC because it is a civilized and a peaceful one.

It is very much relevant here to mention that the government of India, as a matter of policy, is not only helping the liberation movements but also has gone one historical step forward in recoginising the Palestinian Liberation Organisation which is popularly known as PLO and even before the other countries have accorded recognition to the PLO. The Government of India has not only accorded recognition but also gone another step ahead by inviting PLO late Supremo Mr. Yassar Arafat and accorded him a red carpet welcome officially by the Government of India, also their full fledged support to the African National Congress (ANC) of south Africa. It is only after this incident the other countries did followed suit.

It is very much pertinent here to mention the relevant portion of the statements submitted by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, to the L. P. Commission, (linguistic provinces commission) dated 14-10-48, the question of reorganisation of States on linguistic basis. Para 6 and 7 of the said Statement read thus (page 02, Volume Ambedkar writings).

The main advantage of the Linguistic provinces which appeals to me quite strongly is that, linguistic - provinces would make democracy work better than it would in mixed provinces. A linguistic province produces what democracy needs, namely social homogeneity. Now the Homogeneity of the people depends open their having a belief in a common origin, in a possession of a common language and literature in their pride in a common historic tradition, community of social customs, etc., is a proposition which no student of sociology can dispute. The absence of a social homogeneity in a State creates a dangerous situation especially where such a state is raised on a democratic structure. History shows that democracy cannot work in a state where the population is not Homogeneous. In a homogenous population divided into groups which are hostile and anti-social towards one another, the working of democracy is bound to give rise to cases of discrimination, neglect, partiality, suppression, etc., of the interests of one group at the hands of another group which happens to capture political power. The reason why in an heterogeneous society democracy cannot succeed is because power instead of being used impartially and on merits and for the benefit of all is used for the aggrandizement of one group and to the detriment of another. One the other hand, a State which is homogenous in its population can work for the ends of democracy for there are no artificial barriers or social antipathies which lead to the misuse of political power.

It follows that if democracy is to function properly the subjects of the state must be so distributed as to form a simple homogeneous group. The constitution of the Provinces of India, which is on the anvil, is designed for a democratic form of Government. It follows that; each province must be homogenous in its population if democracy in the province is to be successful. This is simply another way of saying that each province must be a linguistic unit if it is to be made to work a democratic constitution. Here in lies the justification for linguistic provinces.

One glaring example that the holidays of any community are announced as holidays declared by any Government. Thus, holidays are symbolic recognition of a particular ethnic group or a nationality. The Codavas are denied of even this privilege by the Government of Karnataka. Even the names of Codava festivals have been changed in to Kannada names.

The path to greater Autonomy

In keeping with the aspirations, demands and struggle for greater Autonomy, it is a known thing that negotiations as between the union Govt. and the concerned are likely to settle and be satisfied with greater Autonomy to J & K and Nagaland and it is a matter of time that such a thing is on the anvil. In order to achieve the greater autonomy the protagonists of the movement for sovereign nationhood to J & K & Nagaland are believed to have abandoned their original demand for respective Independent sovereign nations and it is likely that greater autonomy would be granted in any moment and no doubt it is the present prevailing order of the day elsewhere in the world. Except the control over defense, currency, postal & telegraph and external affairs, which rests with union, all other things are included in the prime theme of the greater autonomy to the any given provincial state or intended to be formed a new.

Should the granting of the greater autonomy to J & K and Nagaland, it is a settled matter that Punjab, Tamilnadu & west Bengal could follows the suit. As regards Punjab is concerned, they have abandoned the idea of independent sovereign nation in preference to the “ Anandpur Sahib” resolution passed in the year 1973 by Shiromoni AkaliDal, the still domineering politico - religious front of Sikhs. So in the case with the Tamil Nadu the Dravidian movements the seeds of which were sown by the late Periyar E. V. Ramaswamy Naikar the torch being carried on successively by late C.N. Annadurai and now Dr. M. Karunanidhi will settle with greater autonomy after abandoning the claim for "Dravida Naadu” , a separate Independent sovereign nation dreamt of in tune with the report submitted by Raj Mannar committee to the Tamil Nadu Assembly in the year 1969. And the Bengali Baabus also will be satisfied with the greater autonomy and shut down their original claim of an independent sovereign nation as has been projected through “The great autonomy charter of west Bengal” in 1970's. The union Govt. did not lag behind and in order to give a proper meaning to the notion of federal structure of Indian union did appoint justice R S Sarkaria commission to go deep into the subject In turn after examining the prose and cons all attending relevant factors the Sarkaria commission submitted its final report in support of the granting of greater Autonomy to the states with these states if, being given greater autonomy status, and it is a natural deduction that the rest of the states in Indian union including Kamataka will naturally be conferred with greater autonomy status The report submitted by Justice Sarkaria on central state relationship and report submitted by Dr Karan Singh commission which nomenclatured as Kashmir Autonomy Charter caused at the behest of Dr. Faruq Abdulla and the views expressed by number of political scientists legal luminaries, constitutional experts, statesmen and think tank of the nation envisage a scheme for granting of regional autonomy and sub regional autonomy to protect the different ethnic – linguistic national tribal groups in the respective states while attaining the greater autonomy.

By all standards it is only the time factor and Karnataka may also hope to attain greater autonomy with in the course of couple of years, may be months. It is time that we Codavas should insist for the granting of regional autonomy by the state of Karnataka when at a time it shall expect greater autonomy and it is desirable that the union Govt. pressurise such a thing. Unless the talks regarding the granting of regional autonomy to "Codava land" are moved in a proper direction just at the moment, we may hardly expect our demands to be accepted if the state of Karnataka attains greater autonomy without the union Govt. reserving a clause to the effect that our interests should be protected. Just now we are at the fringe of the demand of autonomous 'Codava Land’ i.e Codava Autonomous Region under the overall suzerainty of Karnataka and it is the duty of every born Codava to be more vigilant and persist and pursue our cherished goal. Let not dreams of autonomous Codava Land be the one like that of Chechaians when the former U.S.S.R. became divided into smaller eleven Balkan nations in accordance with the 'peristhroika ' (Political restructure) and glasnast (Economic Reform) contemplated by Gorbachev the question of chechaians was not included in the theme and what followed thereafter is history. Like Codavas, Chechaians too belong to a separate and easily identifiable racial group backed by oil wealth and they are struggling for their cherished desire even now.

CODAVA AUTONOMOUS REGION (CAR)

We are urging the Government of India (GOI), Government of Karnataka (GOK) and people to look at their looking glass to understand the root cause of the on going Codava struggle. The Govt. has "scant regard' for the hopes and aspirations of Codavas of the region and using words like internal or external tried to segregate them. Branding a movement seeking recognition of its ethno linguistic tribal national identity and culture as secessionism is ridiculous. We argue that since the Indian constitution provides autonomy for all minorities those who are living in a compact area under the majoritarian dominion, the Codavas who constitute the first largest and distinct ethno lingual national and cultural indigenous aboriginal minority in Karnataka and second largest ethno national minority after Ghorka national minority in India. and that too we are living in a compact area should be given 'genuine' autonomy we also want that all Codavas scattered elsewhere in the world be combined into one minority nationality. With genuine autonomy, the Codavas can stop the damage to their environment, land and maintain their life style and cultural heritage. Codavas should enjoy a degree of internal self-determination and autonomy under overall suzerainty of Karnataka and the sovereignty of India. Codavas right to safeguard their land rights, economic rights, cultural rights and political rights can also be accommodated on the same lines as has been done in J & K and northeastern states or for Gorkhas in the Darjeeling Hills. A minority does run the risk of absorption by the predominant element, unless protected constitutionally. After all Ladakhia & Bodo's have been given a separate councils on the parallel of Gorkha land council. It is an internationally accepted principle to protect a unique ethno lingual national tribes as per the' article 2 of the United Nations charter, it has provided right to political self - determination of any minority ethno linguistic group or cultural group or nationalities. CNC has got broader objectives to protect the Codava nationality in the entire globe. In whichever nation, state of the World Codavas may be settled/ living should get constitutional guarantees from those respective nations. The circumstances certainly do necessitate the “Lexifori” in order to enliven, maintain and continue the Codava identity everywhere. Such a thing deserves to be implemented in the multipolar world. CNC subscribes to the opinion that the protection of Codava ethno linguistic cultural minority nationality and its language which in no way effects the main provisions or sub provision or amendments of the X Constitution, but in fact supports the same, is the responsibility of the Indian society and all the organs of Indian state such as legislatures executive and judiciary. Even any democratically established authority cannot evade this responsibility. The Union and State Governments should not dare to ignore the interests of the Codava minority nationality. If they dare to do so they are toppling the very system enshrined in our constitution. Hence Codavas legitimate rights i.e. inherent, birth, fundamental, constitutional and human rights should be protected under the umbrella of an autonomous Codava Land or Codavasthan in government parlance Codava Autonomous Region within the suzerainty of Kamataka sovereignty of India. The government of Karnataka has been advocating for all such rights and powers with regard to autonomy, the right of self determination, and classical status for Kannada language and of course unbridled power over Cauvery water etc., but it is denying the same and similar rights to Codavas who are very well within its suzerainty. Not withstanding the time that may be taken, we are ready to dedicate ourselves to the cause of Codavas and Codava Land we shall achieve the same, be it is l00 days or 100 months or even 100 years. Codava Nucleus Home and Codava Language & Cultural University to be established at Codava Kund Codava Nucleus Home and Codava Language & Cultural University to be established -Land grant of in survey no. 250 /9 of 200 acres situated at Yevakapadi village of Kakkabe Panchayath of Madikeri thaluk, application for: representation to D.C. Palaksha on 30th December 2002 While we try to establish a Codava Nucleus home on a formidable foundation with a solitary intention, nay belief, to preserve, protect and promote Codava language, Codava Cultural heritage under one roof and exhume the near buried Codava Identity in order to re-orient and enliven the infinitesimally insignificant Codava existence. I would like to inform you that it would require steadfast belief and extraordinary courage to unearth from the dust the ancient culture, life style and all that what actually is Codava into new life and the lack of one central powerhouse from where we may generate global interest to re-orient Codava Psych, Belief, worship and Learning. In other words, we contemplate the establishment of a Nucleus Home of Codavas which would be the only treasure house of all those Codava things. For this purpose, we require an extent of two hundred acres, preferably abandoned Government waste land, which would house a Codava Language and Cultural University on the lines of Nalanda, Taksila, Saranath, Sanskrit University at Melukote and Granada & Corodova of ancient spain, which will focus socioeconomic development, rekindling of our language and cultural heritage and spiritual uplitment. We will try to instill interest to rediscover a long forgotten aspect that Codava Race used to be one of the most unique thing that has occurred in Human history, not to mention the fact that we will build our shrines and libraries such things replete with Codava knowledge The confusion that prevails is to be removed and I shall try to give Codavs a sutge forward. We have already selected a piece of land in order to establish the idyllic aims and the place I have chosen is in Sy. No. 250 /9 of 200 acres. Situated a piece yavakapadi village within the territorial jurisdiction of Kakkbe Panchayath in Madikeri taluk. In actual fact, the land I have mentioned is totally a barren Government waste land. Therefore, I request you to be good enough to sanction and grant the required land as mentioned above at your earliest. I shall comply with all the conditions that may be imposed for the same. Thanking you.

Comparative Study
Codava Kund, The focal point and epicenter of Codava faith republic

However much Vociferous we may argue against and whatever is nature of the objections raised in that regard, the notion of faith in republic is a firm reality example. Take for instance the case of Vatican the seat of Catholicity and the power house of Orthodox Roman Catholic activities, even though Vatican, the papal city, may never boast of being an independent nation on par with other countries and nations in the world with independent and self preserving army, a Govt, and a people; The area is just but one hundred eight (108) acres and population of a meager 1500, persons, it has the unique feature of being an observer nation in the united nations along with other 189 member nations, both big and small, having been recognised by the U,N. and treated as a full-fledged nation otherwise, what more some 69 nations have their permanent diplomatic missions in Vatican and it has ever-growing influence over other nations. All these strictly are on account of the fact that the main actor in the centre stage being the Pope. We must remember not a single member country of the U.N. hither to has not taken exceptions regarding the same. Now there has been a public demand to include other faiths also in the republic, prime candidates being Islam, Judaism, and the like. With this in background why should we not focus the attention of world community to Codavas and Codavaame? Why should we not groom "Codava Kund" as the centre stage of entire Codava race, Codava beliefs, Codava ethos and Codava identity? The world community must think of recognising "Codava Kund" to be the epicenter of entire Codava existence and it is time that we too stake our claims for being recognised, accepted, and nominated a Codava faith republic of course with an observer status, in the United Nations. It is an opportune time that the Govt. re dedicates its wish to recognize this ancient community and respond to its demand and desires. It is time that Codava Kund becomes a firm reality in the Govt. language, It is the duty of ever born Codava to crave for the recognition at once of "Codava Kund" as the Vatican or Mecca of Codavas, Codavaame, Codava culture, Codava psyche, belief, existence and Codava ethos.

The Times of India: 16th Wednesday, November 17, 2004 edit -page
A thought for Today -How many divisions does the Pope have? -Joseph Stalin

Faith republics U N representation for all religious faiths these columns have pointed out that the trial of Jayendra saraswathi, head of the kanchi mutt, should follow the course of law. Laws are made for everybody, irrespective of the institution they belong to or their stature in society. Yet, in applying this principle of equality across a broader spectrum, we find a glaring discrepancy: One religion, Roman Catholicism, is recognised world wide to have temporal as well as spiritual powers; none other does. Since 1929, Vatican City, the seat of the Pope, has been recognised as an independent state within the city of Rome. The Vatican is represented at the United Nations as an observer, though it cannot vote. It has diplomatic relations with 166 nations, 69 of which have permanent diplomatic missions in the City. Among other things, it is a member of the UN food and Agriculture Organisation, has a member on the International atomic energy Agency, is a signatory to the nuclear non- proliferation treaty, and since 1997, a member of the World Trade Organisation. No other religious order enjoys such privileges. This inequality is baffling. The world over, technological change has led to an erosion of state power over individuals -today people are freer than ever to choose elective identities that are transnational, multicultural and pan diverse ideologies and beliefs, One fallout of this liberating experience has been a multiplication of nations states -there are more countries today than there were at the drawn of the 20th century. Many are small but not necessarily poor. It is time now to recognise the powers of faith republics and transform more places of worship into states. An obvious candidate is the Tirupati devasthanam, one of the holiest -and probably wealthiest -shrines of the Hindu religion. The four peeths set up by Adi shankaracharya -badrinath in North India, Purl in the East, Sringneri, in the South and Dwarka in the West -should also become independent states. Boddh Gaya, where the Buddha gained enlightenment, certainly qualifies for Vatican status, as does the Golden Temple complex in Arnritsar, the holiest Sikh center of worship. Mecca and Medina should become independent states. The al- Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, topped by the Dome of the Rock and girded by the Wailing Wall on one side, could become a wonderful example of a state founded on the confluence of faiths. By creating Vatican’s of many religions, we will merely acknowledge what is true small is beautiful and elective identities -and faiths -often matter more than political constructs.

November 21st 2004 Times of India- Special Report; Page No.8; Banking on God, A faith accompli" Why shouldn't the heads of all major faiths, including the heads of the four major mutts, figure as heads of states? Sounds odd? Remember, the head of the Catholic Church, the Pope, enjoys temporal as well as spiritual powers. Since 1929, Vatican City, the seat of the Pope, has been recognised as an independent state it is represented at the United Nations as an observer: it can't vote. It has diplomatic relations with 166 nations, 69 of which have diplomatic missions in the City. Among other things, it has a member on the international Atomic Energy Agency and is on the WTO since 1997. To even things out, Tirupati, Amritsar and Bodh Gaya should also become nation -states. Then, India's sphere of influence would grow in the UN, as would the sartorial diversity New York.

Codava Kund; Right and ownership over protection of and respect to we only would like to know if the government has any agenda to cleanse the ethic existence of Codavas.

The genesis, existence and development of Codava National Council owes a great deal to Codava Populace. In fact, Codava National Council is not a single man's property, but it is intended to be the life breath of every born Codava and it is the manifestation of Codava psyche. It is in consonance with the political declarations that have been adopted in various public rallies attended by tens of thousands of Codavas, Codava National Council has modulated its every moves. Lesser said the better about the implementation of the many resolutions adopted by public rallies, the recommendation of Coorg Development Council by the Constitution Review Commission headed by Justice M.N. Venkatachalaiah and the proposal to recommend the inclusion of Codava Thak in the eighth Schedule of our constitution are but a few glaring examples of the relentless struggle Codava National Council has been doing.

The unanimous resolution adopted by one of such massive political rallies that has forced Codava National Council to seek the sanctioning and grant of a totally uncultivable barren waste land with an intention to establish comprehensive centre for Codava activities and build up infrastructure and naturally Codava National Council after continued search for such a thing could locate the Codava Kund near Yevakapadi village in Padinalnad and submitted its application to the Government of Karnataka through the Deputy Commissioner of Coorg on 30th December 2002. The Revenue Department after conducting a live inspection of the site shown by Codava National Council has demarcated the land and fixed. the boundaries thereof preparatory to the processing of related papers and eventual grant of the land. It is only after having gone through all such formalities only, Codava National Council gained entry into the property under the cover of legality. What more Codavas expressed their wish to celebrate the occasion and the programmed celebration of Codava New year Edamayar on 14 April, 2003 was but the official seal of the entire Codava race for the same.

At this juncture some interested persons, a few self styled heavy weights of certain political parties, their parasites, some regular turncoats and vagrants who would never succeed in retaining their deposits in any of the elections and the so called editors of known yellow journals and loathsome tabloids and blackmailers created unwanted and totally unhealthy atmosphere sitting in Madikeri by instigating a few innocent Kudiyas of the locality and the rest of the things are well known. The Codava Race in unison consecrated a particular site in Codava Kund on 10 March, 2003 to be the Sole Designated place for offering oblations, meedi to the Aadi Kaarona, Adam, of Codavas and so established the one and only sacred place of Codavas sanctimoniously. Any act or omission touching the same will be treated to be an act of perfidy and onslaught on Codavame,. It amounts the violation of right to practice any religion as has been guaranteed under article 25-26(b) (C) of the Indian Constitution.

The Sanctioning and grant of Codava Kund is perhaps the only occasion when the entire Codava Race sought for any help from the Government and no one understands as to why should there be any objection in relation there to in any manner. Codava Kund is the symbol of Codava identity and self respect. With this in the background, Codava National Council poses some questions to all the concerned and seeks acceptable explanations from them in relation thereto and thereto and they are: It would amount to a case of misnomer if anyone alleges about having watched any member of Dalith groups by any Codava for reason of one's being belonging to any such depressed class. One must remember about the crude practice of forcing Daliths to eat their excretions in Bihar and Karnataka, but so for no Codava is known to have ever indulged in such heinous crimes against Kudiyas and other Daliths. After all no Codava hates members of any other communities or groups, much less Kudiyas and Codavas practice peaceful coexistence. Codavas have no objections if kudiyas are given lands, but only objection would be with regard to their social behaviour. Let not any member of such or any depressed classes or daliths try to make inroads into our own existence.

The one questions that haunts us is that why should the District administration or Police remove the sign board fixed by Codavas within the property, it is Codava Kund in the instant case, earmarked for being granted in favour of the whole conglomerate of Codavas and that too when the possession of the land been notionally delivered to Codava National Council by fixing boundaries after a survey. In other words, it is not a case of encroachment or land grab, but in reality it is a case of valid transfer of land preparatory only to the completion of the process of land grant papers. The sign boards happened to be the reflection of Codava sentiments and illegal removal of the same amounts to an act of deliberate desecration of Codava sentiments towards a certain thing consecrated to be the oblation site of Aadi (i.e.Guru) Karona of Codavas. Naturally every Codava opposes the hasty move and wants the sign board so seized to be restored at once without attracting resentment of eventual public paranolia.

Should the District Administration consider the possession of a never cultivable track of exclusively waste land and which no person would opt to hold; and that too after having put the Codava National Council in valid possession thereof, to be an act of encroachment, what action the Government has initiated in order to evict the land grabbers and encroachers who have been in possession of most valuable and enviably fertile large extents of lands. Instances are not farless and few arid we insist that many political heavy weights, MONEYLinks to https://web.archive.org/web/20170910083620/http://codavanationalcouncil.org/Profile.html bags and political parasites who always gain entry into top positions through back doors who possesses large chunks of Government lands illegally. Whatever action the District Administration has taken against the persons who have built their mansions in the lands within the green belt areas. To quote some examples, if it is not true that Shri. M.C. Nanaiah, a former Law Minister and sitting M.L.C. who always tries To wield a stamp of authority on each and every thing in the district, be it is private or public, and render futile all the aspirations of the concerned and one other parasitic lesser or no weight Shri. Ellappa who have built their respective residential mansions at what might conveniently be classified as the most coveted and idyllic location, which are within the mischief of Green Belt Areas? What action did the Government take to evict the two there from?

The Government must now explain its agenda. Where are the Codavas to perform our congregational rituals? Are we to seek permission for such thing from government and become sub servant to the wishes of the government? Are we to go to Mecca, Jeruselem, Vatican, Kashi, Amrithsar Golden Temple, Bodhgaya or Aadi Chunchanagiri in order to carry out our rituals? After hundreds of centuries we have choosen a place to be consecrated as the repository of our unknown ancestor i.e. Codava Adam and the Codava Kund is the Choosen place. Should the government some self centered off the track human individuals who claim superiority to others and the ever mischievous gutter sheets were to hurt the feelings of Codavas in this matter it is akin to the violation of religious sentiments any other faithful in the universe and all the concern should be warned against this.

Therefore, we request the authorities concerned to expedite the processing of the land grant papers touching Codava Kund in favour of Codavas through the applicant Codavas National Council and it is but natural the every Codava sees a pilgrimage centre the hillock land grabbers. All CNC feels it proper to expose the double standrd of the government and the governmental departments regarding the hasty manner as to how they saught to deal with the never to be a law and order problem, much less the one to invoke the provisions of section 144 cr p.c. and that to hurting the basic right of religious practices of Codavas as done on 14th April 2003 at Codava Kund and the eagerness of the yellow sheets to open their pandora’s box of ruthless tirade on the organsization, nay Codavas. Here is a list of a few big wigs who have illegally, and immorally also have occupied lucrative governmental and forest lands, to mention a few names:

1 .Alekodi Raja 900 acres Reserve forest Adjecent to Codava Kund 2. Kunji Komba 900 acres Reserve forest Adjecent to Codava Kund 3. Kadamakal Rubber Est. 5000 acres –“ - Kadmakal Range 4. Glen Coorg Estate Nilambur co, 6000 acres –“ - Jodupala 5 Port Land Rubber Est 4000 acres -" - Makutta 6 Mahendra & Mahendra 100 acres -" - Kutta 7. Jagadale Groups 150 acres Govt land Nemmale 8. B Hoovin Cadu Estate 100 acres Govt land Kutta 9. Dr PC Alexandar Former Governor of Maharastra & Member of Rajya Sabha 100 acres Govtland Kumbur 10 GlenloraTeaEstate 1000 acres govtland Nemmale 11 TATA Coffee polibetta 1000 acres govt land in coorg District 12. DB Chandregowda, Minister of land and Parliamentary affairs & Father in law of AK Subiaha's son 2000 acres govt land Chickmagalor Dist 13. B. L. Shankar, Chairman Karnataka legislative council 1000 acres govt. land Chickmagalore Dist. 14. A Popular journalist of Coorg encroached 50 acres of land in Madikeri Taluk 15. Arun Machaiah M.L.C. 100 acres govt. Land at B. Shettigeri of Virajpet Taluk

The encroachments and illegal forced occupancy of forest lands, riparian lands, lands with in green Belt area of Madikeri and Virajpet and Devakadus is immeasurable. Through out the Banks of river Cauvery there have been large encroachments by several individuals. The lesser said the better about the encroachments of the Banks of rivers from Coorg towards Keral in the midst of reserved forest on both sides makes all to raise their eyebrows. The land grabbing is just is fantastic, majority of the chettiyars who hold lands in Coorg without doubts are land grabbers. The government the press and the self styled saviours of environment and echolgy must explain as to why they uniformly are silent with regard to the large scale encroachment and illegal land grabbers that are being systematically carried out by the so called influential persons with the consent of connivance and at the behest of a former law minister and the saviour of Daliths the leader of Ahinda on Malethirke Kund in Virajpet Taluk and the Ghat sections until the point of Stuart hill had there under in Madikeri. A Thamsha of the entire transaction lies with the fact of a person whom Sri. M.C. Nanaiah, A.K. Subbaiah, T.P. Ramesh and the Editor of a largely circulated Kannada news daily in Coorg projected to be as a chosen representative of Tribes of Yevakapady is himself a notorious land grabber and the one who has squandered the monies and such other help from the government and other organisation that were being made available to Daliths under various heads. Added to it the man has been trying to grab as many lands as possible that one being given to the widows of Army men and others. He has been racketeering in the land dealings.

The most interesting feature in the entire drama is the affidavit filed by the government of Karnataka in support of the land grabbers and encroachers of large extents of land before the Supreme Court of India which has directed the eviction of encroachers. With such a background now seeks to characterise the Codava Kund issue as an anti national act at par with the attack on parliament Bhavan. Why should be there be such disparity? The government should evict these land grabbers at once, possibly with in 10 days, rather than try to tarnish the image of CNC, and there by of Codavas. When at a time the government is expected to respond to the desires of Codava race, our government and the so called leaders of men are trying to segregate Codava as pariahs and criminals. We only would like to know if the government has any agenda to cleanse the ethnic existence of Codavas. Unless the government comes with white paper regarding these things the entire Codava race will certainly rise in unison against the apartheid policy that is sought to be practiced.

The concept of Codava Kund

The Concept of Codava Kund has its genesis in various factors and it has not taken its birth abruptly. The Codava kund is the conglomeration of ageless Codava psyche. Codava Cultural heritage and the endless Codava saga. The official seal regarding the Codava Kund and all those things, deeds and activities connected with it only came in the form of an unanimous resolution that has adopted in the massive public rally held in connection with the celebration of Codava National Day on 29 November, 2002.

The idea of establishing a self styled Codava lake City University, Nucleus Aine Mane, Kaimada, Mand, Codava kaala(Time Capsule) Kavacha, Boti and Thootangala/Kyakola within one specified area. The unheard of massive Codava rally held on 29 November 2002 became a reality only on account of the formidable and unwavering leadership of CNC only. For the first time in history such a massive gathering of codavas could be made convergence of Codavas Each and every Codava so to have participated in the rally in unison felt the need of such a thing and authorised and requested me to select an uncultivable barren waste land and seek the sanctioning and grant of the same from the Government.

The Aadi kaarona (Codava Adam) did intact led Shri. N.U. Nachappa to the hillock at Yavakapadi village of Padi Nalnad and show the actuatplace which ultimately came to be nomenclatured as Codava Kund. Every Codavafeels that the Codava Kund should in course of time emerge as the Vatican of Codavas in every sense, spiritual, literary , cultural and heritage. May Codava Kund be treated on par with Nalanda, Taxila, Graanada and Corodova and the international society considers it as Vatican of Codavas.

In consonance with the decision so taken in the said massive rally, an application formally has been filed before the Deputy Commissioner of Coorg and the incumbent Deputy Commissioner Shri. Palaksha, IAS, had the magnanimity of directing the due processing of the same, The land has been measured by means of a Government survey and boundaries demarcated. Now that the land has been identified as a No Man's land and treated the same to be a perpetually uncultivable one. The proposal also suggests that the land would become useful if only granted in favour of the applicant for the noble cause mentioned. C.N. C. took formal possession of the land on I5 February, 2003 immediately after the land has measured and fixing of boundaries, C.N. C liad the foundation (Kuthi) of the grand edifice to come up on 10 March, 2003. Let us hope that Codava Kund soon becomes a prominent pilgrimage center of the universe and the entire world know it to the power station of Codava activities. May Codava Kund grown with the nourishments to be supplied by the Codavas of Padinalnad and blessings of Codava Race.

Codava Kund is the true manifestation of Codava Indentity

As until the day when Coorg became merged with Mysore, later on nomenclatured as Karnataka. Coorg was the cradle of Codavame and one could have watched nothing except the actual Codava behavior with in the periphery of fortysix Naads of the then state of Coorg. What more, we had atmosphere filled with whatever Codava within our region, Ain mane -Kaimada, Mand -Maani, Devakad and such other Codava land marks reigned supreme and Dudikott pat, Aat paat & Komb Kott Valaga rented the air through out the year, be it was Karona meedi, Puthari -Kailpoud or Kambala or wedding season. The entire scene almost always was bejeweled with the meticulously robed Codavas sporting the bewitching patt vastra, chek vasthra and the ever beautiful Codava with this enrobed in Kor Chowka, Bott Podeya and Neela kai jacket. Any stranger could have felt something very unique when tread past through Coorg. In other words no separate reservation was required either for identity of Codavas or the eminence of Codava living. Coorg was the cynosure of all eyes and it reigned supreme and above all others in India. But every thing became marred with the merger of Coorg with Karnataka. Whatever we had become a thing of the past and a time now has come to such a situation, one has to do some research work in order to know what Codavame was and how Codavas live on account of the systematic obliteration of our existence by the over bearing larger Karnataka. Not only that Codavas and Codavame have become the subjects of books and some articles, we Codavas are almost near extinct. It is with an idea of extricating ourselves from the all pervading flow of external culture, CNC came in to being. CNC is the only movement ever to have been started in order to regain the existent past glory of Codavas and with such an intention we Codavas, have acquired 'Codava Kund' which shall eventually become the actual power house of Codava activities. Now there has been some opposition from some corners and we feel that such objections are not inborn, but under the instigation of some riffraff’s and some self centred individuals. In fact the objections shall never be treated as some human individuals and while objecting to the notion of 'Codava Kund' they may be considered as the ones who play false to their own mother and their own existence.

Consciousness: Slavishness: Codava’s Rights: Time Serving: The Conflict Between :

For a real statesman, the future of his people, his country and all that what he cherishes are supreme. For a politician, every step he moves forward is dependent on the possibility of his ability to retain power. It is this second group of people I am referring to about. It is these people who always think about which side of the bread they should sweeten in order to achieve their goal I am referring to. I am referring to about the ones who to make plank of communal politics that is prevalent in Karnataka, it is those who without doing any thing for the cause of Codavas and for the good of the Codava race, but instead always keep themselves busy in planning, say for instance establishing the federation of Codava Samajas or create All India Kodava Samajas or some such things but heart of hearts their prime hidden agenda is to silence or defeat Codava National Council which by all reckoning is the only organization which is doing yeomen service to the cause of Codavas, Codavaame and Codava Land. The one question that occurs to any normal thinking human individual is that what actually the people who identify themselves as the leaders of any given Codava Samaja, be it is of any small township or larger cities or even the association of All Codava Samajas, have done for the good of Codava race, except perhaps establishing Wedding Halls and a few educational institutions and how dare these people call themselves as the chosen few of the entire Codava Race? They seem to imagine that only those who have taken membership of any given Codava Samaja to be a Codava proper and none else. I do not imagine about these numerically negligible, may be near about one per cent of the total mass, people being termed as the leaders of Codava race. In other words, the remaining ninety nine per cent of Codavas do not know who they are and what they are. What ever it is, CNC has been relentlessly fighting for twenty-one very important demands including the Codava Home land and Constitutional special protection & self -determination for Codava minority nationality during the past decade and more and it is a truth that none else has done any such things so far.

Even though the constitution of India provides for reservation on the basis of caste, class and race and the UN charter guarantees / assures the recognition of all races, nationalities & ethnic groups classes of people or separate Identity, did any of these people or organizations present any demands as did CNC? Leave alone that, it is only on the insistence of CNC the Constitution Review Commission even recommended for the constitution of coorg Development Board under art 371 of the constitution of India, and separate University, the very nation of inclusion of Codava Thakk for the 8th schedule of our constitution has been evolved, originated and generated by CNC, but no one knows as to what these organizations have done and succeeded in such a direction. It is a fact that CNC after holding a IInd public rally in Bangalore in the year 2001 has submitted a , Memorandum to the then Governor Ramadevi then demanding special reservation for Codava minority and constitutional recognition for Right to Self -Determination, but did these people who behave themselves to be the undisputed leaders of Codavas submit such things either to the Governments of both India and Karnataka or other authorities? CNC has succeeded in educating the Codava masses that unless the institutions like Kaarona, Aine Mane, Kaimada, Namme-Naal, Thakk-Baak, Aime-Koime and such activities felt to be treated as sacred for Codavas , without this the notion of Codavaame has no meaning at all and only on such a foundation we can demand any Constitutional reservation or insist for separate identity on the national and international arena. Have the Okkuta of Codava Samajas orAkhila Bharatha Codava Samaja did any thing identical to these.

Did these people oppose the move to merge Codagu, primarily a Codava majority dominion as until 1956, with a pronounced Vokkaloga majority dominion of Karnataka (Mysore then) or attempted to rescue Codava Thakk and Codavas Rights when Codagu became a part and parcel of the new state. No, but instead they tried to eke out personal gains then and they are doing it even now., CNC has been trying to enlighten the world about the basic characteristics of Codavas and it has forged ahead in its attempt, but without ever trying to understand the nature of her culion work CNC has done, these self centered people are trying to pass unhealthy criticism against CNC saying that the organization has defiled Codava culture etc.

Except Aine Mane and Kaimada, Codavas have no other sacred places, Karona is the notional supreme divine existence for us, but several interested groups have tried to introduce unwanted alien fake deities into Codava life & destroy the indigenous character of Codavas in particulars and Codava Land in general and there by they make a living. Immediately after the agricultural season Codavas used to perform our traditional Kailpold by worshipping Guns and Kathi and Plough and Yoke etc., etc. and the like during the next seven days that follow in different Naads. It was but natural Codavas held get together functions, exchange views and tried to establish raproachments during the span of seven days, but the forces inimical to Codavas have succeeded in forcing Codavas to give a go bye to such unique customs and instead undemocratically have made us celebrate Kailpold on 3 September of every year. By propagating such a thing, the All India Codava Samaja or what ever it is, has attempted to kill Codava culture. Every thing said and done, did these people succeed i-n forcing the Government declare Kailpold day to be a public holiday so far? Let these Codava Samajas say who actually have mutilated Codava Culture.

Traditionally all family functions like wedding, naming ceremonies of new borns, rituals connected with death and obsequies should be done only in Aine Mane, but these people insist Codavas to hold such functions in Wedding Halls or HOTELSLinks to https://web.archive.org/web/20170910083620/http://codavanationalcouncil.org/Profile.html and while doing so, these people have Kannadi-fied the same. Is It not an affront on Codava culture. Did Codavaame recognize Mass Marriages? Only those who have hunted down seven Tigers are permitted to sport a Komba Meese, but some people who have became Municipal Chiefs, presidents of Virajpet Codava Samaj & ministers and the like and who in other words are incapable of maiming a small mosquito or a moth and even unable to retaliate Revanna are now a days flourish Komba Meese. If this is not an act of sniping Codava Culture?

However much the people who call themselves to be the unquestioned leaders of Codavas, what ever is the nature of their tall claims, the actual truth remains that these are not. There are two groups of non-Codava conspirators, one in Virajpet who amassed wealth in the name of labour unions (TRADELinks to https://web.archive.org/web/20170910083620/http://codavanationalcouncil.org/Profile.html union) and the other one who run gutter sheets in Madikeri. These two mantrik groups want Codava Samajas who dance to their tunes and towards such an end, they cunningly extol the self styled Codava Samajists only in order to eke out their respective immoral gains and they have been doing this during the past over fifty years. Unfortunately Codavas are yet to gauge the depth of the mischief these rascals cause. Naturally these people dislike the idea of CNC gaining momentum as the collective leadership of Codavas and they even hate to mention about Codava Homeland, Codavaame, Aine Mane and all that what is Codava. It is these two groups of mantrikaas though always tride to cause dissensions within amongst Codavas.

Whenever the question of 'Codava Kund' arises, these people in one way or other project their opposition, but why they keep their mouth shut when any one seeks to know about the intentional land grabs in Deva Kadus, Malethirike hill and extensive estates in Western Ghat areas is any body's gues. Their main grouse is that CNC has not sought for their permission to start a Codava language and cultural University, but they do not remember the fact that they have not been accorded permission by British Queen in order to start English Public Schools and the like. (These people have made themselves to be laughing STOCKLinks to https://web.archive.org/web/20170910083620/http://codavanationalcouncil.org/Profile.html while they insist that every other perhaps including CNC, should take their prior permission in order to strive for the cause of Codava identity even while they run English schools at different places. Did they take prior permission from British Queen for that?) Nowadays these All India Samaja has been assigning new clan names, (Vakkapeda) all those who aspired to switch over to Codava culture, but it is a strange thing that without knowing the real fact that Codavaame is no religion unlike Islam, Christianity and Buddhism and we are yet to know who actually authorized them to do such unCodava and anti Codava activities. In other words they are polluting Codavame.

The innate fear that CNC might eventually turn out to be the leader of Codavas and that none would recognize them might be the sole reason why these people oppose CNC and they definitely do not have any other logical and convincing reasons for their oppositions. Yet these people try to eliminate CNC, an organization which took its birth and has been surviving for the sake of Codavas even though they never did any useful work for the community. These people mislead the Codava generality by finger pointing to Codava Academy saying that the Government of Karnataka has established the same for the benefit of Codavas and that the future of Codavas lies with that academy only. The Codava Sahithya Academy is but one other like Kannada Sahithya Academy only and it has a limited dimension and it shall never call itself to be the Academy of Codavas particularly. No useful purpose would be served in unnecessarily indulging in such discussions. Only those politicians, Pseudo leaders, may at best make use of Codava Sahithya academy as their platform in order to gain popularity and political base. Codava Sahithya academy can never be the common representative body of Codavas in general, but at worst it may conveniently be dubbed as a temporary governmental organisation and nothing more. Should the existence of Codava sahithya Academy be understood to be established for the very purpose of promoting Codava language, which is being spoken by all the people in Coorg. It suggest that Codava mapilas and Kembatties have their respective place reserved in the Ainmane secretly proposed to be constructed by this Codava Koota in connivance with Academy

One interesting, rather, shameless, development that one may watch these days, is that the people connected with Codava Sahithya academy in connivance with the people who call themselves as Akhila Barath Samaja & Federation are known to have collected stupendous sums, believed to be Rs. 34 lakhs, in order to construction an Ainmane secretly at a place in Buttangala. Do they allow the user of the same also by Codava mapiles and Kembatti? If these two classes are permitted to make use of the so called Alnmane they propose to construct what explanation they give if CNC questions them How best could such a structure be identified as a thing for strictly for Codavas? One strong factor is that the very people who all along started that each and every Codava clan as their respective Ainmane and there is no necessity of one more for all Codavas, explain their attitude and their behaviour in collecting FUNDSLinks to https://web.archive.org/web/20170910083620/http://codavanationalcouncil.org/Profile.html for Ainmane. The Ainmane what this Okkoota proposes to construct may at best become a community hall common for all moolanivasis people of Coorg and it shall never be treated as a nucleus Codava Ainmane.

These so called leaders of Codavas seek to pose questions as to who gave CNC the needed permission to build Codava Aine Mane as Codavas have their own Aine Manes. They do not seem to know any thing about the importance of Aine Mane and the like of Codava existence, The very notion of Codava existence has no significance without Aine Mane, The people who question the propriety of CNC to establish a nucleus Ainmane should be prepared to inform Codavas as to who actually has permitted Sri H.L. Nagegowda to put up a building in his Janapada Loka which he called as Codava Ainmane and also that who ever has permitted him to carry away the historical artefacts, antique articles and such ancient things connected with Codava race, Codavame and Codava culture. In other words these people have sold Codava esteem and the remnants of Ancient Codava society to Sri H.L: Nagegowda and they should be ashamed of that. H.L. Nagegowda has acted in right direction when at a time the people connected with folk arts are dormant. In the same manner CNC need not have to seek prior permission of any one, muchless the ones who claim themselves to be the self styled leaders of Codava for the simple reason that such and such a person is the head of certain Kalyana Mantapa owned by Codavas collectively.

With a solitary intention to acquire name, fame & popularity, perhaps ill-gotten wealth also, the people who pose themselves to be select band of Codavas have projected the entire Codava race to be very rich and it seem that government is inclined to accept their version but in contrast CNC has been striving hard to aquire constitutional guarantee, reservation, minority status and such thing with the more than 60% of Codavas are still under poverty line in mind. Unless such goals are achieved, we shall never hope to raise ourselves to the desired and deserving level. We must know the crude fact that a good majority of Codavas residing in the areas of Marenad, Kuthnad, Nalnad, Muthnad and Surlabbinad are still far below poverty line and it is a sad thing that our women have no a spare saree and a blows to change. Unless constitutional special guarantee is achieved, these Codavas may never even dream of seeing a better tomorrow and they will be a clean forgot forever. Unless Codava identity is proved, we can never aspire to what we should have been and CNC as been doing this to job sincerely. The concept of Codava Kund mirrors such ideas only and that shall be the pinnacle of all our hopes and aspiration. These so called leaders of Codavas want Codavas to be strictly wedded to the principles of 'Raja Nishta' and 'Swamynishta' and they never even contemplate the idea of Codava Rights. CNC by all reckoning is the only organization that has established and striving for the Codava Rights and asserts for Codava Rights. In other words CNC is the concentric epitome of Codava ideology, Codava existence and Codavaame.

A memorandum to Hon’ble Prime Minister and Director General UNESCO Legislation to be Introduced touching Codavs Sanctum Sanctorum i.e. Aine Manes Kaimadas and Mand….. Protection of – Sought for: Codava Aine Manes to be recognized as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO insistence for

Ever Since the notion of society came into being, one very small nationality came to be living in a definitive land with proper boundaries in Coorg/Kodagu, now a part and parcel of the State of Karnataka, The people inhabited within the said definitive space of land from time immemorial have been identified as Codavas. The entire race of Codavas is unique in living style as is in heritage. The nationality has been at once martial, but deeply rooted to mother earth. Despite Continued onslaughts the nationality has succeeded in nurturing and maintaining the unique racial qualities, its cultural heritage and easily identifiable qualities through ages. Codava military prowess touched its zenith during the period of local chieftains and there after during Britishers who ruled India. What until then was a singular, unique nationality, Codavas became merged with Karnataka and at once started the gradual, but intentionally, effacing of Codava Culture. All the concerned assured, undertook and agreed to maintain the cultural identity of each of the merged groups, but as the time passed on, they (Kannadigas) have deliberately failed refused to comply with the terms of the so called gentleman’s agreement.

Now it is a necessary opportunity to inform all the concerned, especially the Government of Karnataka, as to What actual was/ has been/is Codava culture. One must remember the undeniable fact that the very notion of Codava culture revolves round individual Codava clan and the respective Aine Mane, Kaimada, Kanni Kombare, Mand and Tootngala (Kyakola), Odikaththi, Peeche Kathi and sacred Pathak not excluded. Unless these are protected, the statements however much vociferously made do not convey any meaning. The governments systematically have tried to remove and erase the very semblance of these things from our memory. Fearing that the ruthless onslaught on Codava culture, heritage and existence would soon make these idyllic aspects to -be the things of the past, this organization took its shape only in order to protect all those things what is Codava.

Codavas worship their ancestors. Family Aine Mane (ancestral family house) is their sanctuary The Nellakki Nadubade proper (the niche is the central wall of Aine Mane/ family main house) is the holy place. The Kanni Kombare is the sanctum the place where Guru Karona (clannish ancestors) as worshipped, The Kaimada is the repository of all the departed Codava souls and is their clan thanks giving spot. All these are foreign to Hinduism. Codava clannish Aine Mane has naturally been the most sacred central point of all activities of each clan. In other words Aine Mane is the power house of every Codava clan. Each and every member of the clan assemble there during all occasions, be it is wedding festival or obsequies. The Karona Kodpa ceremony (periodic ceremonies for proficiating ancestors as in other communities and the thanks giving ceremony as done in United States on a particular day annually) will be done only in Aine Mane and it is a must for all the members of the clan to participate in such ceremonies.

Already due to various other causes and the calculated negligence, malfeasance and nonfeasance of government, nearly half the Cultural Heritage and sanctum sanctorum of Codavas have perished and the remaining few are in the process of total loss. Only proper legislation towards such an end could protect the same.

"What are we going to tell our children? The next generation will not even know what was part of their Cultural Heritage. More over, it is a crime under United Nations charter to destroy any Monument / or cultural identity that is a certain ethnic group, Nationality or Culture. It amounts to Vandalism and that ‘to by the very custodians of that culture’ And the UN Charter says that all those guilty of destroying any historic heritage or cultural monument/ identity should be declared criminals of war “Codava architecture, identity-culture as a place of its own just like other ancient nationalities and religions like parsi, Nagas, Tibets, Jew, Islam, Sikh, Jain, Khurds, Serbs, Persians, Scots and Pusthuns etc.

Now, may I take this opportunity to request you to examine the question of preserving, protecting and promoting the unique racial Codava heritage of Aine Manes. Kaimada and Mand of each of one thousand Codava clan spreader in forty five naads in Coorg with a realistic perspective and request you to take immediate steps to push in appropriate legislation towards such an end I also request you to be good enough to treat the said thing to be World Heritage site. Without Aine Mane, Kaimada and Mand, Codava culture is incomplete and non-entity. India being a signatory to the covenant of UNESCO World Heritage Site convention, it all the more is very important that a thing What social scientists consider to be a challenge to the very human history should be protected and preserved. The authoritative research article penned by Dr. M. Abdul Kalam Professor Dept of Anthropology University of Madras (Chennai) reveals significance about the Codava Aine Mane, Kaimada and Mand... etc, Which forms the base document for us.

Assigning new okka ( Kandan) Names – A sin

A grossly inopportunate behaviour of some of over intelligent Codavas these days has been their attitude in adopting an absolutely new and never earlier known names to a group of Codava individuals and replicate the already full to the brim and there has been a pre-concerted attempt to increase the number of Codavas by assigning absolute new family names to non Codavas, whoever he, she or they are. This practice in other words demolishes the very existence and continuation of Codavaame. Codavaame what ought to be a sacred affair is being scandalised by some Codava individuals who are known to be self centered and who are never known to bear Codava feature.

Power of faith –

Codavas strength does not lie in its number of followers but in its ethics. It is not a missionary religion, it is a race as well as ethno tribal nationality, and therefore does not accept converts. The number of Codavas may be dwindling but illustrious followers like Nachappa Codava and CNC movement have (has) ensured a permanent place for Codavas in history.

Lack of consciousness and self respect

One disgraceful behaviour of certain of Codavas has been is that they felt immensely happy and elated when the scheming Govt. of Karnataka award such of them conferred Rajyothsava and such other awards only in order to silence Codavas from raising their voice against brutal attack on their personal laws and tyrannical attitude on their land, language, cultural heritage and overall their rights enshrined in the constitution under the guise of newly framed draconian laws.

It is pity that such of Codavas are expecting from other Codavas even now and they classify themselves as Aristrocratic Codavas ( Angliazed Coorgs ). At this moment it is better if an instance from history is quoted Scotties Sean Connory , the legendary Thespian who gave colour and live shape to the imaginary "James Bond theme" who refused to accept knighthood award from British crown until such day when Scottish parliament came into being. We could never find one such incident within amongst Codavas. May we go back to pick one instance at random from history and definitely is in relation to Mahatma Gandhi & Ravindranath Tagoor . Gandhiji and Ravindranath Tagoor supported Britishers in second world war and in recognition of their unstinted support they were conferred with awards. Gandhiji with “Kaisire E Hind” and Ravindranath Tagoor conferred with “knight hood” awards, but Gandhiji and Tagoor and so other great leaders did continue their freedom movement which made Britisher’s introduced the draconian Rawlath act and incarcerated all of them. No under Gandhiji and Tagoor returned their respective rewards in protest against the same. This shall not happen with Codavas.

Seminar organized by CNC in Yavanika at Bangalore on 4th February 2005. Prof. L. G. Havanoor Spoke

Despite the fact that the Codavas have all the needed qualities and qualifications to gain constitutional recognition and universal acclaim for being treated as numerically a minority sect and also primitive ethno linguistic tribal national status, your hesitating features, and lack of political will and knowledge only has forced you to be what you are today and a very few Codavas have defeated and destroyed Codava interest. If you can unitedly fight, you may even acquire universal recognisation and you will obtain all rights and facilities that are open to others pro-rata as per your population even without being recognised as so in our constitution.

Codava Home land a comparative study

Jews succeeded in acquiring a nation hood on the permise of king Mosses and Solomen. We Codavas had a land and our land even now is being called after us, but on account of our criminal sluggishness we have lost our sacred land. The Kannadiga fiction that this territory was "a land without people" that should be given to a people without a land" went uncontested with the Codavas driven out their ancestral lands.

People without land -Land without People

Excerpts from Koran / Adage of Koran .

This certainly is applicable to the concerned from Kannadigas of old Mysore area and the people at the helm of affairs who have extorted each and every thing available in this sacred Codava land, but who subsequently proved themselves to be treacherous throughout. They are the people who caused the real damage to the very existence of Codava culture, Codava identity, Codava ethos and Codavaame. They are thankless and we may expect divine punishment to them.

Let not the population be the yardstick for assigning for any developmental work :

The topographical features of "Codava Land" does not permit the population growth behind a certain limit and the mother nature would hardly be is ready to carry anything more. It is disheartening to know that the imperialist Govt. agencies are canvassing for the population over growth in Codava land and some politicians dream of a Codava land inhabited with a greater number of population and they are very seriously advocating people from outside to influx Codava land and occupy landed properties. Instead of importing people from other parts of Karnataka into Codava land on the plea that the population in this district is too very limited it is logical that schemes should be formulated so as to limit the developmental programmes only to the residents of this district.

Codava compradors:

It is a historical fact that the people who in order to gain their respective private ends who always are known to have joined hands and connived with Govts. and who actually were renegades were called as "Compradors" by inimical dio Karl Marks and Fedric Engel’s while they were discussing serious political subject and behaviour of the Bourgeois section of society when they deliberately suppressed the real truth called them as "compradors" such compradors are here in Codava Land and within amongst Codavas. What will you call them as in Codava Language?

People for adjustment :

It is a hard truth that we Codavas are vehement in implementing all such and sundry black legislations and we have been the first ones to receive such things whole heartedly with open arms and in a survival manner no matter Codavas turn out to be the worst hit. We Codavas never once did attempt to know about the legislations which are beneficial to Codavas and other classes of people alike. All those non Codavas are the first to seize the opportunities always, but Codavas always slept over our rights.

State and sectarian terrorism perpetrated by the Government of Karnataka :

The government of Karnataka has been trying to suppress all Codava aspiration by taking recourse to state and sectarian terrorism by fomenting false fears of lawlessness and total Chaos whenever we tried to vent out feelings through its agents. To quote an example what happened in northern Irland whenever those Irish men talked of Home land and it is a known fact that the U.K. government has been deploying protestants from England who have emigrated in Ireland 1ong back. Take for instance the case of Sindhi Muslims, The Pakistani Government has been engaging Mohajirs (M. Q .M.) who fled India during partition and who made Karachi their Home Land in order to suppress Sindhi Muslims. To quote one more instance. It is safe that we know about Nagas and how the govt. makes use of Kuki Infiltrators of Myanmar to suppress Naga emotions. ANC movement was opposed by “Julu” nationals of “Natal Province” Tibetans opposed by Hann race who came from central China. Examples are many more. Let not such things happen any more in relation to Codava struggle.

No separate sovereign state or provincial state but we struggle for Autonomy :

Be it known that we are not demanding a separate sovereign state or provincial state, but we are struggling for attaining the real Autonomy as enshrined in the constitution of India with in the state of Karnataka. It is the overall interest of the nation the protection of Codavas, Codava culture, Codava heritage, customary personal laws, folk lore, Land Codava ethos and Codava spiritual by nation as a whole. It is not merely the concern of Codavas only, but in actual fact it is the duty and concern of every Indians and Kannadigas to respect and protect all that what is Codava.

Codava traditional 'Homeland' is situated in South West Karnataka

We here with enclose a map of Codava traditional 'Homeland' comprising of ancient 45 traditional Codava Naads, the main habitation of 1200 Khandans -lineage (Codava clannish Okka) and bounded as on the South Bramhagiri Mountain range, on the North by Pushpagiri mountain range, on the East the confluence of river Cauvery the life line of South India and its tributaries and other streams and on the West the grand summit of Thadiyandamol. This exactly is the heartland where Codava civilization flourished, where the very notion of Codavamme bloomed, where Codava culture took shape and everything what is Codava world is nurtured in from ages. It is here our venerated ancestors lived in unity and it is here where they have left behind marks of valour and every thing theirs. The legacy we have received from our patriarchs is invaluable and much beyond our conception.

CODAVA MONTHS

1. Edmyar 2. Kadiyar 3. Adare 4. Kakkada 5. Chinniyar 6. Kanyar 7. Tholyar 8. Birchiyar 9. Dhalmyar 10. Malyar 11. Kumbiyar & 12. Meenyar

CODAVA DAYS

1. Naarache 2. Thingalaache 3. Chovvache 4. Padnaache 5. Belaache 6. Bollyache & 7. Cheniayache

CODAVA FESTIVALS :

1. Edmiyar ondh i.e. Codava New Year 2. Kakkada 18th 3. Keil Poud 4. Karona Kodupa Ceremony & 5. Puttari

1. Edmyar is a Codava New Year day, celebrated in April 14th of every year.

2. Kakkada 18th is celebrated in the 1st and 2nd August every year.

3. Kailpoud starts from 15th August and ends on 31st August every year. This festival is celebrated seven days. After the advent of Britishers in Codagu, September 3rd is fixed for grand finale of Keil Poud celebration. Codava National Council is celebrating public Kail Poud on 1st September.

Karonang Kodupa - The ritualistic offering oblations to dead Karonas (ancestors) will be done one of the days during the last quarter of the month of April & October.

5. Puthari - The harvest festival Puthari is being celebrated 10 days between 18th November to 15th December every year. Codava Godess and worship -

6. Guru - Guru is Supreme creator of Codavas (Codava Adam).

7. Karona - Our unknown ancestor of each clan

8. Okka / Khandan / Lineage / Clan

9. Ainmane – Temple & Temporal seat of Codava Khandan

10. Codava Sanctum - Sanctorum are 1) Kanni Kombare, 2) Nellakki Nadubade, and Mund bade,

11. Codava sanctuaries - 1) Kaimada 2) Mundh 3) Thootngala 4) Kyakola (5) Machanikad (Burial Place also a sacred place for Codavas)

There are 3 types of liberations movements in the world- We Codavas opt for third path i.e. middle path on the lines of the Tibetan spiritual leader His holiness The Dalai Lama for Codava land independence

There are 3 types of liberations movements to achieve freedom.

1. First from ancient times till date it is Arms struggle. The down trodden and oppressed people normally choose armed struggle believing that they would achieve the desired goal as early as possible a few example LTTE in Sri Lanka, IRA in Northern Ireland, ULFA in Assam, NSCN (I-M) in Nagaland, Fidel Castro’s Revolution in Cuba, Hoch- Min’s struggle in Vietnam, Banana Gismo’s struggle in East Timor, Palestine Liberation Organizations struggle in Israel and Colombia Revolutionary Armed force in Colombia, Shining Path in Peru and Kurdistan freedom movements in countries like Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Iran & Turk ect. etc. unfortunately or other wise except perhaps in Cuban case, case of Vietnam and East Timor’s freedom no other freedom movements of the nature so for as succeeded. Look at the plight of LTTE’s in Sri Lanka despite years of continued and non stop armed struggle they could inch forward and the Sri Lankan Army with the help of other International organizations as been trying to exterminate the Tamil movement.

2. The other preferred method primarily revolves round the franchise. Take for example our own case, after years of peaceful agitation finally India could secure absolute freedom from oppressor country and soon we became wedded to ballot. Even though there as been elections, some one attempted to curtail the individual freedom of citizens by resorting to repressive methods and such one was ousted the then ruling government by uniformly voting against such ones. It continued even till date. Whenever any ruling govt. showed the signs of oppressive repressive methods public franchise comes to risqué. This happened else where in the world. One other such examples in our own nation is the case of Jharkand movement and Russian freedom struggle and freedom movement of South Africa (Struggle against the in human apartheid policy) and let us not try to expatiate.

3. The last method is middle path as has been adopted and being practiced by His Holiness The Dalai Lama. He has attracted the world attention by holding peaceful Sathyagrihas, Seminars, Conferences and Religious Congregations in order to achieve the lost freedom to Tibet. We only pray that God grants him success very soon. Let not Tibet continue to be slave nation; sooner the better Tibet breaths freedom once again at its early. We prefer the third rout and we never propose to take to Arms struggle. We cannot cling to electoral process in order to achieve the desired goal. As such we are bound to tread past the third path. We hope that we will be a success in order to attract the world attention by adhering to pervasive methods such as Sathyagrihas, peaceful procession, Seminars, Village Meetings, Dharanas and also hold International awareness meetings in Capitol cities of the other nations of the world. The world must know that we will achieve our desired goal of Codava home land by opting to patience, perseverance, persuasion and non coorporation to oppressive rule. We know that our patience, perseverance, persuasion and stead fast belief in our selves and trust in our selves brings us victory. Ultimately success shall be ours. Some day very soon Codava Land will blossom in to a reality

The Saga of Codava Land Struggle

It requires dedication, determination, commitment, conviction, vision, love and concern for our people’s betterment and iron will to chalk out a success. Commensurate with our hopes and aspirations, dreams, belief, emotions, sentiments and imaginations coupled with our ideals success shall be ours and very soon we will have our own Codava Land and forever. Codava Land is not a conquered tertiary of Mysore Maharaja and Codavas are not subjects of Kannadigas The Governments, both union and state are under a false belief that Codavas are subjects fit only to be enslaved and Codava land is a resource generating colony. They are interested only to exploit the natural resource of Codava Land, they have love for the richness and resource of Codava Land and never Codavas.

Codava National Minority- a Definition proper

Minority sections are various, may be it is ethnic, linguistic, religious and national minorities. They differ each others. No doubt our constitution extends special guarantees to minorities of all hues and colours, but not all of them is capable and eligible for claming home land. Ethnic groups have a credibility for reservation that are open to such other groups they are not entitled to be identified as linguistic are national minorities since they lack a territory of there own. Ethnic, Linguistic and religious minorities have no claim for any particular area of land enabling them to stake a claim for home land. The other minority which may conveniently be classified as National Minorities has both the qualifications. Such groups have their own rich language and they could conveniently identify them selves with a particular extent of land ( Traditional habitation or traditional territorial jurisdiction of their own). Goorkas and Codavas belong to a National Minority. Sikh, Parsi, Muslim, Jain, Buddist and Christians identified as religious minorities. These religious minorities cannot claim for their own home land on the basis of their religion. The other remaining lesser ethnic groups do not have their own language nor traditional home land of their own and they are scattered every where in the nation. They adopt the language of the place where they habitat. So is the case with dispersed Pakistani Sindhi minorities of India and Urdu speaking people. No doubt they have rich language, but never an identifiable traditional separate home land. Only Goorkas and Codavas are fit enough and eligible to be classified as National Minorities with a claim for their own home land. Both the classes have their own identifiable traditional home lands and they have a rich language and also they live in a compact area of their own habitation and they are very much confined to a particular region.

Take for instance the case of Negro’s in America and Daliths in India both have failed in their attempt to achieve home lands of their own only on the ground that they are scattered people and never anchored to any particular territory. In 1960’s Negro’s in America under the leadership of Martin Luther King have failed to carve out a home land, and so the “Duality’s” in India have failed to achieve “Dhalithsthan” & “Achusthan” i.e. Home land for untouchables under the leadership of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in 1940’s. Codavas are confined to Codagu, especially within the periphery of compact “Codava Naad” and rich language also (i.e. National Minority) we have a right to be recognized as Codava Land. Codava Land doesn’t tantamount Codagu – a definition It is time that we define Codagu and Codava Land. Let not Codava land be mistaken for Codagu in large. Cordage in a reality is the overall expansive revenue segment just now sharing boundaries with Mysore District in the East, Hassan Dist on the North, Dashing Kannada on the south, Kerala on the southwest which from time immemorial used to enlarge are subtract its area in extent from time to time as centuries passed (present Cordage is artificial boundary) by and in accordance with the Whims and fancies of the ruling classes of all sides including Cordage. As regards revenue administration Cordage has a determinate definable area within which the administrative jurisdiction is applicable as a District. As regards administration for the purpose of the education and the like it extents even up to the Dashing Kannada i.e. Mangalore University as regards the Electoral College purposes the extents of Cordage varies. For example Look Sabah constituency includes Cordage and Mangalore for the purposes for the Teachers and Graduates constituencies for Legislative Council Cordage extends even up to Shimoga should the recommendation of the Kuldeep Singh commission becomes a reality the parliamentary constituency of Codagu will be shifted to Mysore. But the Codava Land what we dream of is a determinate land where Codavas habitat primarily within the revenue segment of Codagu and without any difficulty it is better that we re-iterate once again the fact that we have in our map of 45 ancient traditional naads (Cluster Villages) and without any hesitation we would like to inform that the sacred spots and heritage markers of Codavas i.e. Codava Mand, Kaimada, Ainmane, Kyakola, Thootngala and Machanicad ect. exists and our civilization flourished from ages in that particular area comprised of from Marenad to Surlabi Naad from Naalnaad to Pathkattnaad from Kadiyathnaad to Gadinaad i. e. called Codavu Naad or Codava Land i.e. traditional habitation Codava race which is called as their home land.

Demand for Codava Land and Kashmir struggle a comparative study.

If we seek an opportunity to make a comparative study of two historical truths. First its of Kashmir . Without any embracement one may say that Kashmir has been a state of fully populated with Muslims ruled by alien dogri Hindu Raja Gulab Sing that he purchased the entire land for a paltry sum of Rs 75, 000 from those Britons, not to mention the fact that Muslims suffered a lot at the hands of the one who ruled them. The other one definitely is Codavas of Codagu ( Muslim majority Kashmir was ruled by an alien Hindu king – Codava majority Coorg was ruled by an alien Lingayath king, hence the pangs and pains of Codavas akin to Kashmiri Muslims) Even though chief populace used to be Codavas a stranger Lingayath individual from Ikkeri of Shimoga gained illegal entry in to Codava Land only to misrule the entire area as a self declared Raja the rest of the thing is history. Like Kashmir which has attracted global attention and which rocks the UN almost always, the question of Codagu is yet to make inroads into universal recognition with a new dimension. Let us only hope that some day very soon Codava Land will also become a subject matter to be discussed in UN.

Where is and Which is Codava Home Land ?

One should remember that Codavas have been residing from ages within a compact area of these 45 ancient naads and we are not a scattered populace. If our demand for Codava Land is opposed, within a definable area of these 45 ancient naads within Codagu, should we ask for a Codava Land within Sri Deve Gowdas Holenarasipura, Sri S. M. Krishna’s Maddur, Miss. Jayalalitha’s Andipatti or Thousand lights of Thiru Karunanidhi, or the Gandhi Nagar of Shri L. K. Adwani or could we imagine Codava Land in the in Texas of George W. Bush, Florida of Bill Clinton or in the alternative Jerusalem, the heartland of Islam, Jews and Christian faiths?

Codavas are Codavas Only and no Malenaadu Kannadigas

Let not the people at the helm of affairs mistake Codavas are Malenaadu Kannadigas. For certain we are Codavas untainted with the stigma of Kannada. One equal example that we propose to quote is the case of Kurdish. Just like the Kannadigas classifying Codavas as Malenaadu Kannadigas (i. e. Mountain or Hill region Kannadigas) Kurdish are being termed as mountain Turks in Turkey, mountain Iran’s in Iran mountain Jordanian’s in Jordan, mountain Iraqi’s in Iraq and mountain Syrian’s in Syria. Since Kurdish habitat with in the junction of these 5 nations each wanting to eliminate and homogenize Kurdish identity. Likewise Kannadigas are vehement in canvassing a Philosophy of erasing and homogenising Codava identity and thereby silence the cry for Codava Land. Codavas shell never bend. By all deductions Codavas are not “ Malenaadu Kannadigas” and they are “Codavas Only” as such the question of establishing Malenaadu State does not arise and it should never occur. We Codavas want Codava Land only and nothing else.

freedom ? No never.

May we go back to pick one instance at random from history and it definitely is in relation to Mahathma Gandhi. Gandhiji supported Britishers in second world war and in recognition of his un stinted support he was conferred with the award of the Kaiser.E.Hind and the so was the case with Ravindranath Tagoor, he was conferred with Knight Hood award, but Gandhiji, Tagoor and so other great leaders did continue their freedom movement which made Britishers introduced the draconian Rowlath Act and incarcerated all of them . No wonder Gandhiji and others returned their respective highest prestigious civilian awards in protest against the same. This shall not happen with Codavas.

One Identical example that we may quote is that Mr. Sean Connery, the one who became legendary in his own lifetime while he gave life breath to the imaginary James bond who deliberately refused to accept Knight Hood offer to him by the British Crown until such day when Scotland got a separate parliament simply because he happens to be a scotish. Why Sea Connery?, we have our own example in Mr. Kushwanth Singh and India remembers the day when he returned the second highest civilian reward of Padma Vibhushana conferred on him as a token of gesture in opposing the crude operation blue star which hurt the sentiments of sikhs. We have such an memorable case when Baluchistan Strategic Analist returned the highest civilian award of conferred on him by Gen Musharaf for reason that the later caused the grison assasination of the Baluchi freedom fighter nawab Akbar Khan Bhukthi in the year 2007. Mr. So and so happens to be Baluchi himself. Unfortunately is pains us to remind you that not a single codava so par as done such an act. Even though the government of Karnataka deliberately has unleashed the programmes of eliminating Codava Race, Codava belief , Codava Customary laws and Codavame and overall Codava Identity. Funnly Codavas make themselves sub servient to the wishes of the dominering Kannada chaunist and never oppose anything even if it be so dangerous to our own existence. No doubt Codavas are known to achieve martyrdom for the sake of the state and the ruler of which ever shade or colour from time immemmorial but never sacrifice in the interest of our own race. While writing this a saying "When rape becomes invitable, lie down and enjoy" comes our mind and this precisely reflects the Codava behavior. Now times as come that we should refurbish our thinking, our imagination and our behavior and we must transform ourselves to be " Society centric ( Codava Centric) in preference to state centric" in order to lend support to the realisation to the cause of Codava Land.

Pattole Palame

Pattole Palame is not the gospel of Codavas. The compiler of Pattole Palame is known to have been trained under Kannada and Lingayath teachers whose principal teaching rallied round Chathurvarna . Pattole Palame propagates class systems, but Codava race had no class or caste systems. Every Codava is equal to any other Codava . During the period of agricultural operation, and all other social activities Codavas until very recently had a unique practice of “Kudaal – Muyyaal” which is akin to service bartering. If one family helps in agricultural operations, such of the family which had taken the services of the other family would always reciprocate gesture by deputing as many family members to that family motivated by mutual self help. One must remember there has never been the practice of oppression or suppression of the persons of other communities since there had been no necessity of such things in other words Codavas used to be self sufficient in all aspects and they did not seek service bartering from any other communities. Even before the advent of Karl Marx Codavas had practiced their own system of socialism unique only to Codavas there never has been any upper class or lower class Codavas. Pattole Palame in reality is misnomer and it certainly has tarnished the image of Codavas and Codava social life. Now it is time that Codavas try to reintroduce the ancient Codava practices and it with such a motive we have decided to collect all material facts from “Chembole” in that direction and compile a volume containing true practices of Codavas as has been done in the bye gone era.

Sons of Codava Soil

From time immemorial Codavas used to be the true sons of this soil. There has been a concerted attempt to project Eravas, Kudiyas and Kurubas to be the original inhabitants of Codava land by some interested persons, especially some authors and some one of a Naxalite philosophy. Britishers for their own convenience for coffee plantation brought Eravs from Kallor of Vyanaad area of erstwhile Malabar region presently known as Kerala State, Kurubas from Sargoor region of H.D. Kote area of Old Mysore for the purpose of timber felling and Teak plantation in Codava Land and Male Kudiyas from Kudiamale in Kerala and Belthangadi in Dakshina Kannada. Kodiaks hailing from Kerala speak Malayalam and so the Kodiaks from Belthangadi have Tulu as their mother tongue. None of these communities are the orginal inhabitants of Codava Land and any attempt to classify them to be so will be objected to by Codavas. Some self boasting individuals have even gone to the extent of comparing Codavas with the people from Middle Eastern countries by watching the color, stature and built of Codavas. Such a comparison is definitely foolhardy in nature. For analogy shake could not be a better deduction if one goes to the extent of comparing Reaves and Koreas of the STOCKLinks to https://web.archive.org/web/20170910083620/http://codavanationalcouncil.org/Profile.html of Negro origin from African countries. Better always the so called men of learning stop perceiving such anomalous discoveries. Farcical demand of Malenad Rajya with in Codava Land akin to Mohajir State in Pakistan Picking one instance at random from Pakistani history, the Sindhi Muslims of Sindhi province are the original inhabitants and sons of the soil, but the govt. of Pakistan with some ulterior motive best known only to them received Mohajir’s from India in to Sindh region seized or other wise acquired the properties of Sindhi Muslims for these Mohajir’s and helped them beyond all reasonable limits only in order to suppress Sindhi Muslims.

The govt. of Pakistan had rejected the demand for reservations, to Sindhi Muslims in the field of education and employment, irrigation facilities to their land, the introduction of Sindhi language in Governance and besides rights to self determination instead diverted but surprisingly extended all such reservations to Mohajir’s the govt. of Pakistan provided irrigation facilities to Mohajiri’s land from Indus River, provided them reservation facilities in the field of education and employment and Urdu language was made national language of Pakistan and indirectly encouraging Mohajiri’s to carve out separate Urdu State within Sindh province. In the like manner govt. of Karnataka as scrupulously has attempted to segregate Codavas by denying all demands for reservation in the field of education and employment, Codava language in Governance, irrigation facilities to our land and right of internal self determination ect, but instead as introduced Kannadigas and their ethos in to Codava heart land and to the ruination of Codavas. Now all those sects who have flourished in Codava Land at the cost of Codavas are speaking about the establishment of Malenaadu Kannada Rajya and Codagu Rajya within Codava Land. Their ideology is simply farcical and baseless. Codava Land dose not require “Mohajir State” within Codava Land at the cost of Codavas by undermining Codavas the way Pakistan did with Sindhi Muslims in order to propagate the necessity of the Mohajir State. “The Governments both union and State, are under a falls belief that Codavas are subjects fit only to be enslaved and they are interested only to exploit the natural resources of Codava Land, They have love for the richness of Codava Land and never Codavas

Codava National Minority a definition proper by Prof. Dr. T. K. Oommen at a seminar on dtd. 27/12/2007 at Cauvery College Gonikoppal Minority section or various, may be it is Ethnic, Linguistic, Religious and National Minorities. They differ each others. No doubt our constitution extends special guarantees to minorities of all hues and colours, but not all of them are capable and eligible of climbing their own home land. Ethnic groups have a credibility for reservations that are open to such other groups but they are not entitled to be identified as linguistic are territorial minorities since they lack a territory of their own. Linguistic and religious minorities have no claim for any particular area of land enabling them to stake claim for homeland. The other minority which may conveniently be classified as national minority as both the qualifications. Such groups have their own language and they could conveniently identify them selves with a particular extent of land. Goorkas and Codavas belong to national minorities. Sikh, Parsis, Muslims, Buddist, Jains identified as religious minorities, Sindhi’s are linguistic minorities the other remaining lesser ethnic groups do not have their own language and they are scattered every where in the nation. They adopt the language of the place where they habitat. They can not claim themselves to be national minorities and never a home land. So is the case with Sindhi and Urdus speaking people. No doubt they have rich language, but never an identifiable separate home land. Only Goorkas and Codavas are fit enough to be classified as national minorities with a claim for homeland both the classes have their own identifiable traditional homeland.

Take for instance the case of Negro’s in America and Daliths in India both have failed in their attempt to achieve their own home lands only on the ground that they are scattered people and never anchored to any particular territory. In 1960’s Negro’s under the leadership of Martin Luther King in America in America have failed to carve out Negro homeland, and so Dalithis in India have failed to achieve Dalithastan i.e. Achusthan i.e. home land for untouchables under the leadership of Ambedkar in 1940’s. Codavas are confined to Codagu especially with in the per ferry of compact Codava Land and they have a legal claim and moral right to be recognized as Codava Home Land.

Codava language avoid neglecting of –A caution to

The important and the necessity of recognizing and patronizing all languages being spoken to in any particular area could well be gauged from an incident that took place precisely in the year 1956 in Shrilanka. The govt. believable with an intention to suppress Thamilians and their language and identity introduced a Bill under the name and style as “Simhala the only act” and the Bill passed through the floor test in the parliament despite the legendary Thamil Parliamentarian Mr. Colin D’Silva took exception and narrated the adverse impact of such a legislation in dividing the nation in to two or more pieces for the simple region that the speakers of Thamil language would certainly rise in revolt against the same and the country will be one single nation forever should Thamil language also be given equal recognition. What followed next is history. There might not have been LTTE, or any such things should the govt. of Shrilanka refrained from introducing such a devilish legislation. In fact Shrilanka just now is a divided land, not only in relation to language but in all other respects. The notion of mutual trust has already been erased from Simhala thought.

With such an analogy in mind the one question we propose to raise is that will India hope to remain one single unit or in the alternative would it give room for discordance.

Unless all hither to unrecognized spoken languages chiefly Codava thakk and other national minorities tongues are recognized at once and state patronage is extended to them (us), one may believe that this nation will certainly be divided in to fractions some day and hegemony of mejoriterian sects would become the governing class.

A Serious warning -

Nowadays Codavas are on the rampage of selling their property’s to the land mafia of Andhra Pradesh (Reddy’s) and other places for the simple reason that they are getting lucrative prices without ever trying to imagine the possible next attempt of these land grabbers to obliterate the very existence of all the things what is Codava? The first act of these hawala land grabbers is to implant a stone at a centrally located place and impress the locals that there is a deity guarding the village is in the stone and it has to be protected with a temple for it and they would help construct the Temple. By doing so they are attracting the sentiments of local residence and make them part with their properties also for higher price. Fools as the owners are they would certainly sell their respective properties for mouth watering price, but in the bargain the hawala backed Andhra Pradesh land mafias would also try to extend the bounders of such properties he as acquired by encroaching up on the govt. land also. Not only that such mafia will promote some local petty politicians in order to translate their evil designs into action and make secure their base. In other words the local politician being promoted by the Andhra land grabber would do all such things in order to safe guard the interest of the Andhra land grabber by dividing Codava society. The govt. should call a stop by introducing a central legislation prohibiting alienation of Codava property at once under articles 370/ 371 of the constitution of India has as been done in relation to the lands of Jammu & Kashmir and North eastern States of India. The most heinous act these land mafia is doing is that they are trying to secure matrimonial alliance with Codavas and seek to prone they too are local populace in order to gain legitimacy for their illegitimate acquisition of Codava property. This should also be curtailed by Codavas only.

Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities Adopted by General Assembly of the UNO: The Resolution 47/135 of 18 December 1992

The General Assembly, Reaffirming that one of the basic aims of the United Nations, as proclaimed in the Charter, is to promote and encourage respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion Reaffirming faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small. Desiring to promote the realization of the principles contained in the Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the C Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as other relevant international instruments that have been adopted at the universal or regional level and those concluded between individual States Members of the United Nations inspired by the provisions of article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights concerning the rights of persons belonging to ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities considering that the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities contribute to the political and social stability of States in which they live emphasizing that the constant promotion and realization of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic religious and linguistic minorities, as an integral part of the development of society as a whole and within a democratic framework based on the rule of law, would contribute to the strengthening of friendship and cooperation among peoples and States,

108 INDIAN JOURNAL OF SECULARISM -Vol. 8 No.4 Jan-Mar 2005

Considering that the United Nations has an important role to play regarding the protection of minorities Bearing in mind the work done so far within the United Nations system, in particular by the Commission on Human Rights. the Sub-commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities and the bodies established pursuant to the International Covenants on Human Rights and other relevant international human rights instruments in promoting and protecting the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities. Taking into account the important work which is done by intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in protecting minorities and in promoting and protecting the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic. religious and linguistic minorities. Recognizing the need to ensure even more effective implementation of international human rights instruments with regard to the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities. Proclaims this Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities:

Article 1

1. States shall protect the existence and the national or ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic identity of minorities within their respective territories and shall encourage conditions for the promotion of that identity.

2. States shall adopt appropriate legislative and other measures to achieve those ends.

Article 2
.

1. Persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities (hereinafter referred to as persons belonging to minorities) have the right to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practise their own religion. and to use their own language, in private and in public, freely and without interference or any form of discrimination.

2. Persons belonging to minorities have the right to participate effectively in cultural, religious, social. economic and public life.

3. Persons belonging to minorities have the right to participate effectively in decisions on the national and. where appropriate. regional level concerning the minority to which they belong or the regions in which they live, in a manner not incompatible with national legislation.

4. Persons belonging to minorities have the right to establish and maintain their own association.

5. Persons belonging to minorities have the right to establish and maintain. without any discrimination. free and peaceful contacts with other members of their group and with persons belonging to other minorities. as well as contacts across frontiers with citizens of : other States to whom they are related by national or ethnic. religious or linguistic ties.

Article 3

1. Persons belonging to minorities may exercise their rights including those set forth in the present Declaration. individually as well as in community with other members of their group, without any discrimination.

2. No disadvantage shall result for any person belonging to a minority as the consequence of the exercise or non-exercise of the rights set forth in the present Declaration.

Article 4

1. States shall take measures where required to ensure that persons belonging to minorities may exercise fully and effectively all their human rights and fundamental freedoms without any discrimination and in full equality before the law.

2 States shall take measures to create fearless conditions to enable persons belonging to minorities to express their, characteristics and to develop their culture, language, religion, traditions and customs except where specific practices are in violation of national law and contrary to international standards.

3. States should take appropriate measures so that, wherever possible, persons belonging to minorities may have adequate opportunities to learn their mother tongue or to have instruction in their mother tongue.

4. States should where appropriate, take measures in the field of education in order to encourage knowledge of the history, traditions, language and culture of the minorities existing within their territory. Persons belonging to minorities should have adequate opportunities to gain knowledge of the society as a whole.

5. States should consider appropriate measures so that persons belonging to minorities may participate fully in the economic progress and development in their country.

Article 5

1. National policies and programmes shall be planned and implemented with due regard for the legitimate interests of persons belonging to minorities.

2: Programmes of cooperation and assistance among States should be planned and implemented with due regard for the legitimate interests of persons belonging to minorities.

Article 6

States should cooperate on questions relating to persons belonging to minorities, inter alia, exchanging information and experiences, in order to promote mutual understanding and confidence.

Article 7

States should cooperate in order to promote respect for the rights set forth in the present Declaration.

Article 8

1. Nothing in the present Declaration shall prevent the fulfilment of international obligations of States in relation to persons belonging to minorities in particular. States shall fulfil in good faith the obligations and commitments they have assumed under international treaties and agreements to which they are parties.

2. The exercise of the rights set forth in the present Declaration shall not prejudice the enjoyment by all persons of universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms.

3. Measures taken by States to ensure the effective enjoyment of the rights set forth in the present Declaration shall not prima facie be considered contrary to the principle of equality contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

4. Nothing in the present Declaration may be construed as permitting any activity contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Including sovereign equality. Territorial integrity and political independence of States.

Codava Land Charter at Codava National Day

In consonance with the resolutions already adopted on the occasion of celebration of 'Codava National Day' on 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 we hereby reaffirm and dedicated unto ourselves to once again reaffirm the same with very same fervour, sincerity and honesty with a firm belief that the same would be brought into action with even more enthusiasm. The following resolutions were unanimously approved and adopted on 21st November 2007 and 21st November 2008.

Resolutions:

1. Resolved to pray for all the Codavas who have breathed their last until this day and pray that the respective souls rest in peace. Resolved further to dedicate common meedhi for the dead ones after the conclusion of today's conclave.

2. Resolved to adopt one single catch word as CAR for Codava Autonomous Region in its expanded form as done in other nations else where in the world like TAR Tibetan Autonomous Region in China, JAR -Jew Autonomous Region of Russia's Birobijan, FATA Federally Administered Tribal Agency for Mehsud and Quabyli tribes in Waziristan of Pakistan, KAR Kurd Autonomous Region of Northern Iraq, Kosavo Autonomous Region for Albanian Ethnic groups in Serbia, CHT Chittagong Hill Tract for Chakma Ethnic group of Bangladesh, DGHC Darjeeling Ghoorkha Hill Council for Ghurkas of West Bengal, BTC Bodo Territorial Council in Assam, LBC Ladakh Buddist Council in J&K State with a solitary intention of protecting, preserving and promoting the interests of cultural, ethnic & linguistic minority nationalities by majority groups and it is significant that UNO supports it. As such we demand such an identical treatment for Codavas within Karnataka and it shall for all times to come be nomenclatured as Codava Autonomous Region CAR for short and Codava Land.

Significant development & welcoming step

Unanimously resolved to congratulate and appreciate the bold political will exhibited by the Union Govt. and the Govt of West Bengal for having extended the greater autonomy under the 6th schedule of our Constitution to Darjiling Ghorkha Hill Council DGHC, needless to add that the Ghorkas as a whole & Ghorkha Land in particular acquires extraordinary of legislative and executive powers. Even though Ghorkhas do not form any classified scheduled tribal group, still the subject of Ghorkhas found place in the 6th schedule of our constitution on account of the relentless struggle made by GNLF leader Shri Subash Ghising, awareness of Ghorkas in relation to their political rights and the political will as exhibited by the respective Governments.

While reminding the historical fact that the draft accord was signed by Mr. Subash Ghising the then Union Home Secretary Mr. V.K. Duggal and State Home Secretary of West Bengal Mr. Amith Kiran in the presence of Mr. Shivaraj Patil the Hon'ble Union Minister for Home Affairs and the Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal Mr. Buddadeb Bhattacharjee at New Delhi on 6th Dec. 2005, and it has already been fixed to be placed before the Parliamentary session regarding the Constitutional amendment regarding the ratification to Ghorkha subject. We Codavas also insist GOI & GOK to repeat such a treatment in relation to us.

3. Resolved to inform the Codava racial brotherhood that the recent trend of assigning new okka names irrespective of casts, creed & class for the sake of EARNING FASTLinks to https://web.archive.org/web/20170910083620/http://codavanationalcouncil.org/Profile.html bucks and prosperity. We must remember that ours is has been the only racial entity with very ancient heritage & history and it is not a missionary group so as to indulge in conversion and thereby assign new okka names. Such people must be treated as renegades of Codava race and they must be excommunicated, banished and prohibited from Codava Association.

4. Resolved to oppose the move of Government to classify Virajpet Taluk to be as scheduled area as per the report submitted by Buriya Commission Report and such a thing shall not be brought into a reality unless and until such a day when Codava ethno lingual national group treated as a tribe. Since Virajpet taluk is the only region where Codava population is thick and if the Bhuriya commission report comes to be operative, Codavas are hereby warned that we will have to face the necessity of incorporating some unknown individual belonging to certain imported tribes other than Codavas in our respective revenue document (CRC & CDRC etc.) as we may generally expect our birth right to be curtailed in respect of holding properties traditionally.

5. Resolved to reiterate and reaffirm our belief that Codava Kund shall forever be the centre point of Codava activities and which shall in course of time be transformed into Vatican or Mecca of Codava cultural and socio-religious centre and any objection or hindrance towards such an end will only be considered as a sin and negation of Codava rights.

6. Resolved and reaffirmed to raise a befitting central August Ainmane in Codava Kund which shall house the August repository of Codava ethos, Codava psyche and Codava existence.

7. Resolved further to take exception regarding the trends being set by the Government by misinterpreting rulings handed down by highest Judicial body in order to acquire uncultivated or allowed to follow on account of certain inevitable circumstances the ancient traditional jamma lands under the premises of evicting unauthorised occupation of non existent Government lands. The Government must remember the crude fact that all these jamma properties, be it is malei, baane etc. belong to Codavas naturally and they shall continue to be as of Codavas solely. Let not Government seek an opportunity to meddle with our inherent rights with the aid of any ruling. The fraudulent and reckless conversion of forest land for their private ends into certain colonies of imported people from Karnataka plain land into Codava mainland and an attempt to lessen the extent of jam ma lands by resorting to compensate for the loss of forest lands. All such jamma lands should be restored to respective Codava Okkas.

8. As in other societies, there are all types of people amongst Codavas and they include rich, filthy rich, moderate, very poor, begging class, intellectual, dull heads and the like 20% of the entire Codava population forming richer class and the remaining 80% being middle class, poor to very poor people. In order to eliminate the disparity and achieve all our goals, classifying Codavas as a ethno lingual national tribal people is very essential. Let not the Govt. mistake our struggle and respond it by causing political rehabilitation of long forgotten Codavas and extolling self proclaimed hypocrite Codava leaders whose contribution to the society is negligible and by doing this the Government is uplifting such individuals only. What we demand is the overall improvement and up liftment of the entire Codava race in all spheres of life.

9. Boycott Elections

It is our desire that we Codavas shall try to translate the real intent behind all resolutions passed and adopted this day and also the 30 items contained in our charter of demands and in order to achieve the desired goals we should boycott all elections in future until such day when our demands become a concrete reality. Since elections are considered to be the foundation of democracy, the failure of the Government to recognise Codavas as one belonging to this nation and this state. All the future elections deserved to be boycotted. It would be more appropriate to classify this movement as the sole organisation struggling for politico - cultural, Socio -political, and ethno-linguistic existence and Identity of Codava Race and at the same time it is the inner heart throb of every Codava and Codavathi and is also the irrepressible Codava voice in unanimity.

ITEM DEMANDS

1. An enactment declaring Codavas as ethno linguistic national tribe under Indian constitution and extension of all reservation that are open to such classes regarding education, finance and employment opportunities. Under article 340 of the constitution, the President can appoint a Commission to look into the claims on the economic and social status or backwardness, and article 342, the President can notify any group if they satisfy and fulfil the conditions as tribes. The case of the Codavas fitted well in to this scheme -Census of all Codava with respective Vokka names should be carried out at the earliest, with a view to initiating the process to recognition as tribe under Art. 342 of the constitution by the President of India.

2. Constitutional special guarantee to our customary personal laws, land, i.e., Jamma malai, Jamma -Jagir and other innumerable land tenures together with the sovereignty over latent, visible, springs and natural growths, language, cultural heritage, economic and political freedom under Art. 371 of Indian Constitution and inclusion of Codava Thakk in the 8th Schedule of our Constitution. (such a thing may be done with a Constitutional amendment. -As is understood by us a simple enactment could be made even a private member bill presented in the parliament). Establishment of Central Codava University with centre for advanced Codava studies must be achieved.

3. And also declare the 45 ancient Codava Naads into a Codava conglomerate forming the indispensable & indivisible Codava heartland with full fledged autonomy as Codava Autonomous Region (CAR) autonomy and right of internal self determination. Under Art. 244 and 6th schedule of our constitution and to obtain for the universal recognition for Codava identity. (Strictly no amendment of any sort is required for Codava Autonomy except that the same may be got done by mutual concurrence of GOI (union) and GOK (state) Govts. We must try to convey our feelings to the State, National and world community by all methods of communication. We must be prepared to continue the peaceful struggle towards achieving our paramount demands. All rights & protections as are guaranteed under Art. 51 A (e) &(f) of Indian constitution.

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

1. CNC demands for the constitutional special guarantee for distinct ethno lingual Codava minority Nationality and protection for Codavas land, language, culture, heritage, Economic & Political freedom. Codava Thakk (Language), the living spoken language of the region must be included in the 8th Schedule of our Constitution.

2. The sincerity what is expected of from the ones who conducted census in Codavaland found to be lacking as there has been glaring mistakes and omissions, Exclusive Codava census has to be conducted once again with a judicious and realistic perspective.

3. The recommendations of the constitution review commission regarding the establishment of Coorg Development Council under Article 371, the demand was originated, initiated and pressurised by CNC only, should be given effect to at once. (Please note: Chapter 8: union state relation 8.23.1 of CRC report)

4. CNC demands the constitutional safeguards from Government for minority Codavas political autonomy physical protection and FINANCIALLinks to https://web.archive.org/web/20170910083620/http://codavanationalcouncil.org/Profile.html security.

5. Both central and state governments should create ministry for Codava affairs. Give Codavas a primitive ethnic infinitesimal minority tribal nationality status & extend all reservation facilities accordingly.

6. CNC Demands that a representation in the Loka Sabha must be given to Codava Nationality as per Article -331 of the constitution on the lines of Anglo Indians. A special compulsorily nominated membership in the Rajya Sabha must be given to Codava Nationality.

7. We demand an internal reservation quota for Codava women (Codavathies) in the proposed women reservation bill slated to be presented before the parliament and it is desirable and deserving that such internal reservation in respect of Codava women gaining entry into the August legislative chambers of the nation and state.

8. Effective arrangements should be made to safeguard the interest of the minority Codava ethno -linguistic - nationality living outside Codava Land so that they do not fall prey to any discrimination.

9. We congratulate the union UPA Govt. for having adopted rural employment guarantee legislation and for having decided to pick 200 districts in the nation and for the implementation of the same and we insist that Codagu be Included in the list with a special employment guarantees for villages exclusively inhabited by Codavas.

10.CNC demands a central autonomous university for Codava minority Nationality on the lines of Aligarh Muslim University, Banaras Hindu University and Jamia Milia Islamia University. CNC demands a world Codavalogy Study Centre on the lines of Tibetalogy Study Centre of Sikkim 1 proposed World Sikh University at Fatheghar Sahib and ancient Buddist Study Centre at Nalnaand & Saranath of the yore.

11. Both union and state govts, should create ministry of Codava affairs.

12. The HRD ministry and UNESCO should incorporate and bring into implementation about the knowledge of Codavalogy connected with Codavaame everywhere in India and else were in the world.

13. An all including comprehensive Codava Museum and Library and Archives should be established in Delhi or in the alternative include separate wings to the already existing national libraries, museums & Archives so as to include Coda:va subject. Better always to open a separate section for Codavalogy at National museum institute of history of Art conservation and musicology. National research laboratory for conservation of cultural property at Luknow.

14. CNC demands exemption under the Indian the Arms act Section-3 to be made into Codavas personal law.

15. Coffee is the backbone of minority Codavas economy. Hence protect Coffee industry by giving stability to it. (Govt. should impose heavy duty on foreign Coffee which is imported from other countries) It is a known fact that the villages of Muthnad, Poramale Nad, Badigeri Nad & Surlabi Nad on the North west side of the Codava land are absolutely backward in every respect and the inhabitants exclusively Codavas are economically most backward and the soil conditions of the these villages are suitable for cultivation of Tea instead of coffee and other MONEYLinks to https://web.archive.org/web/20170910083620/http://codavanationalcouncil.org/Profile.html crops. In the interest of real upliftment of the inhabitants there. It is worth wile, if the Govt. takes initiative to help them to bring lands under Tea cultivation, so that they too may dream about a better tomorrow.

16. Give recognition for Codava Takk as a full fledged language by the "Central Sahithya Academy".

17. Make Codava Takk also as the official language of Codava land as per the Article 350 B of the Constitution of India

18. The Govt. of Karnataka should treat Codava Thakk as second language in the manner as Govt. of India has treated Gurumuki as third language.

19. Accord Sasthriya (Abhijatha) Bashe (Classical) status to Codava Language which is ancient and living spoken language of the region.

20.0ur Demand is also for inclusion of Codava Thakk in regular Curriculum. All the standard lexicon should find place for the words 'Codava' and such things connected with Codavas.

21.ln consonance with the growing demand we pressurise the Govt. to declare general holidays for "Keil Poud", "Puthari" codava new year day i.e. Edemyar and Kakkada 18th.

22. This was known as 'Codava Nad' centuries ago. Due to turn of events and passage of time, this land is recognised as Codagu just now. It is time that the Govt. shall re-adopt the ancient names to respective places.

23.CNC demands for establishment of a Codava Television Channel.

24.Constitutional special guarantee for our land i.e., Jamma malai, Jamma Jagir and other innumerable land tenures together with the sovereignty over latents, visible, springs & natural growths.

25. We insist for a legislation to be carried out in order to safeguard and perpetuate the interest, of right and entitlement to enjoy the usu fructs there including the forest wealth and ownership over the trees should vest with the holders. Unless a proper legislation is done, we fear that we have no proper method to attract the attention of the concerned since the type of land tenure prevents such a thing.

26.River Cauvery originates from Codava Land, Presently Cauvery water is being exploited by Karnataka and Tamilnadu forgetting the fact that the same is not used in Codava Land. We want a definitive share in Cauvery Water.

27 .Proper legislation regarding the protection for Codava heritage marks like Ainmane, Kaimada, Mand. Tootngala. Kyakola, Machinicad etc.,

28.Ensuring constitutional protection for Codava Minority Nationality A great responsibility of Indian State & Indian Society as a whole.

29.Stop deliberately designing for the elimination of Codava Nationality. Don’t' dream of obliterating Codavaame.

30.Attempt to dilute Codava Identity shall be a curse, and it amounts to be indirect ethnic genocide and violation of human rights.

Constitutional obligation It is an unfortunate fact that both union and state Govts. deliberately have violated in letter and on principles the assurance, promise and undertaking that has been enshrined in the State Reorganisation Act 1956 under 7th amendment of the constitution by keeping silent the same in respect of Codavas atleast. In reality whenever a smaller numerically ethnic groups, linguistic minorities and religious minorities etc., become absorbed with the larger states, it is the constitutional duty and obligation of such larger states with which smaller groups become mixed (merged) with to respect the rights and individualities of such smaller groups. Hence the case in hand suggest that Codavas have been long forgotten by Govts. Codava Nationality has a right to reassert its existence. Suppression of Codava Nationality will be hated. Since we are being attempted to be eliminated, ignored, disrespected, disregarded and totally forgotten by successive govts, both central & state of course representatives regardless of their affiliation, political parties and bureaucrats, We are struggling through peaceful manner in order to focus the attention of the Nation and also to oppose the apartheid practices against us. We believe that no govt. which leans for its existence on Kannada linguistic chauvinists, religious egotists and'Codava traitors' could be expected to have enough boldness to respond positively to our demands

AN Appeal

We might have had held innumerable rallies Sathyagrahas, public meetings, seminars and road side congregations in order to pressurise the Govt. to exceed our legitimate demands and Codavas have arrived at a general consensus as are mentioned above and we dedicate ourselves to generate further support for our struggle. It is our wish and readiness that we would conduct ourselves in peaceful manner while we further intensify our moralistic demand towards achieving our natural rights suppressed so for. Even though Indian union is signatory to the scheme enshrined in the UN charter to the effect that the interest of any given ethno cultural linguistic minorities and aboriginal indigenous groups identity shall be protected, preserved propagated & promoted, the demands of Codava ethnic Identity remains a far cry and it is time that Govt. of India takes a decisive step forward towards the fulfilment of its commitment made to that effect by recognition of Codavas as a primitive ethnic tribe and providing all constitutional guarantees. We fervently appeal World community to lend support, may be it is physical, FINANCIALLinks to https://web.archive.org/web/20170910083620/http://codavanationalcouncil.org/Profile.html, moral & open hearted support and show solidarity with our mission.

Before concluding we make a cryptic note of our declaration and demands for

1" AN AUTONOMOUS CODAVALAND / CODAVASTHAN i.e", Recognition of 45 ancient Codava Nads as their traditional and indivisible Home Land.

2. DECLARATION AND DEMAND Universal recognition for Codava Minority Nationality- Right to Internal political self- determination We mean the right of our people to decide their own political destiny. It can also apply to autonomy and self governance. Internal governing systems with selfdetermination were in operation in many countries and they existed even in ancient India ( During the era of Chandra Guptha Mourya and Ashoka Mourya)

3. constitutional special guarantee for properties of Codava Nationality under article-370 must be incorporated.

4. Codava thak and 8th schedule Language by all tests is considered to be the atom from and around which any given civilisation, society and development of any particular race, ethnic group or nationality or group of individuals shall flourish. With out language the civilisation, culture or existence of human society is a non- entity. A conglomeration of all the three aspects i. e. Land, Language and ethnicity will emerge in to a self exuberant nationality. Such a thing we believe is Codava Home land i.e. Codava land. With such an intension we insist the government to include Codava thak in the 8th schedule of our constitution. Our language is supreme for us and without language and without innate love for Codava Thakk one cannot claim himself to be a Codava proper what ever is his or her achievement or social status. Codava Thakk in essence is one facet of codavame and it is the paramount duty of every born Codava to safeguard cultivate and develop it at any cost, Codava Thakk is the essence of our life we and it is the life breath of Codava existence.

5 To construe all the codava rights to be the human rights. To establish a Codava August Home (i.e., Supreme codava AineMane) and With it construct the edifice of codavame brick by brick.

6 CODAVA KUND should be treated as our spiritual seat- A Government wasteland has already been in our exclusive possession and enjoyment through due process of law and procedure except that title deeds are yet to be delivered to us situated at Yevakapadi village and which we have ruefully named as "Codava Kund" (Codava Hills) which in course of time shall turn out to be the convergence of the entire codava psyche, belief: hopes and aspirations ofCodava ethos and Codavame. This we consider to be the very existence animation and future ofCodavas and any opposition regarding the same shall be treated as the violation of Fundamental right-Birth right-inherent right- Constitutional right and Human right innate in us.

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CODAVA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (PARLIAMENT) Codava Spiritual and Temporal legislature :

Every one knows about Parsi Panchayath, shiromani Gurudhvara Prabhndk Committee (SGPC) of Sikhs and Dharma Sansad of Hindus in India, Loya jirga in Afghanistan, Sai Jirga in Baluchistan and Great Council of Chiefs in Fiji Islands and such bodies of tribal and ethnic Nationalities else where in the universe, and Tibetan parliament and Govt. in exile (HQ at Dharmashala) the role which they play regarding the respective groups they are related to. Such a thing is the need of the hour. In furtherance of the dedication made unto ourselves the declaration that has been adopted at Codava National day celebration on 28th November 2003, We are glad that the Codava National Assembly the temporal and spirimal Codava legislature, has already been constituted on 1st September 2004 and we are happy that the idea received an unprecedented momentum from all quarters. We only reaffirm the dedication made unto ourselves will continue for ever. Even though many of our customary laws are being forced to discontinuation consequent :to the unethical circumstances and pressures made by the prominent groups and Government althrough the years, the remnants of those unforgettable practices are still being followed by Codavas is common and the Newly constituted Codava National Assembly (CNA) would collect, gather, compile and channalise all the age old customary laws, traditions and practices under one shade in order to amplify the basic tenants of Codava nationality before the national & international bodies and the United Nation with an intention to acquire the universal recognition and attention for Codavas identity.

It is a painful factor that our land and our women folk are being alienated these days. As the land is sacred to us so is the case with women. Both are fertile and in a way they are the bye words for motherhood. If we want to raise the pure and flamboyant products, one should plant the select seeds and cultivate the same in a desirable environment. Both land and seed go hand in hand are inseparable. If we sow good seeds, we may expect good fruits and the converse will end up in raising a culture with out roots. In order to save our identity, we must try to save and safe guard the alienation of our land so the women.

We have plans to establish a world university of Codavalogy and Codava language and cultural centre and heritage centre together with an exclusive Codava Advanced Study centre at “Codava Kund”. All these things shall take shape under the trust called “Codava National Trust for Education and Cultural Heritage” (CONTECH) preparation are afoot to formulate concrete designs to establish and consecrate the seat of learning of codavology, codavame and all those spears connected with Codava existence.

10. Unless the government recognizes Codavas has ‘ethno linguistic tribal national minority’, the proposal made by Dilip singh Buriya Commission to treat the Virajpet region as scheduled area shall never be allowed to be discussed about, and we oppose any synical move by anyone which other wise would be detrimental to Codava interest, Codava existence, Codava language and belief.

11. We know about England, Ireland, Scotland, Pakland, New Zeeland, Green land, Switzer land, Iceland, Finland, Holland, Nagaland and Gorkhaland etc., and Why should we not know "Codava Land" It should be our ethos and Psyche. We should even call this peace of earth as "Codava Land" even in our dreams.

12. While delivering a key note address in the constituent assembly while discussing about the draft constitution, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar said" If the question as between India and Ambedkar, I opt for India with out any hesitation and if the question is as between India and Daliths, I certainly take side of Daliths. In the like manner if the question is as between India and NACHAPPA, I definitely go with India and should the question be as between India and Codavas, I unhesitatingly merge myself with Codavas. I am for Codavas. i. e. by the Codava to the Codava for the Codava.

We will cast off our sluggishness which has arrested our growth and re-emerge ourselves into fullness. Pursuant to the declaration that has been made on "Codava National Day" celebrated during the year 2001 and reaffinned on 2002 and 2003 at Madikeri and 2004 at New Delhi and 2005 February at Bangalore, 2006 & 07 at Madikeri (and we have assembled here this day to celebrate, reaffirm and re- dedicate ourselves for the causes for which this movement strives for which is called as Delhi Declaration) The origin, existence and continuation of Codava Nationality as ancient as humanity itself, but a time has come that it has become a necessity to prove such a timeless truth on account of the fact the entire Codava nationality has been trampled upon during the past nearly fifty years. What Codava race used to be during the pre-states re-orgnisation days, has turned out to be a clear non-existent factor on account of the sluggishness of all the concerned. With a solitary intention of reasserting a time tested truth that the Codava ethno lingual group still exists and is capable of blooming to its fullness once again. The Constitution of lndia is a classical example for the saying 'Unity in diversity and diversity in Unity. Even though the charter of United nations and our constitution provide for the protection of all minority nationalities, religions and such factors, Codava race is being looked down upon by the Governments and it is understood that they, the men who man the state, are eager to efface Codava race from one's memory altogether. They imagine that they would erase very memory of Codavas from history and human existence in a way they are determined to cause a systematic ethnic cleansing of Codavas and without knowing the real truth we Codavas have succumbed to the evil designs.

With such background, we have decided to insist for a declaration that the aborgine Codava ethno lingual nationality should be protected constitutionally and otherwise. So also the universal recogntion for Codava Nationality. We further demand that Codava traditional 'Homeland' comprising of 45 Nads, the main habitation of 1200 Codava clannish families, the most sacred and sanctorums of Codava race should be declared as an 'autonomous Codava Land' because an unique and extraordinary culture and living pattern has been nurtured on the banks of River Cauvery and enlivened by us in the manner Mesopotamians did ages ago. The"lexifori" should be made applicable for Codava where ever they go. "Lexiloci" should never be made applicable for Codavas and no Codava should be restrained by "lexiloci"- anywhere in the world.

Let us affirm ourselves to convert this organisation as the sole representative political movement of Codava Nationality and Codavame, Since ours is a near nonexistent race without any domineering political force behind us, it becomes a necessity we modulate ourselves into a non-violent movement the way Mahatma Gandhi did and Dalai lama does. In order to convey the message of CNC as presented in the charter of demands to the entire world and to the human society.

Not only that, we have decided to make Puthari, Kailpoud, Edamyar and Kakkada 18th as our national festivals and request all Codavas to celebrate the four festivals and publicly hence forth. We hereby decide to constitute "Codava Temporal and spiritual seat" With a different nomenclature has August Codava Home i.e., Supreme Codava Aine Mane, temporal seat of Codavas which shall thereafter shall be the home of all Codavas to which the entire Codava psyche, belief and existence converge and which shall eventually mirror Codava Nationality and Codavame and the power house of Codava activities for ever and it shall be the Sanctum Sanctorum of Codavamme and whatever is Codava world. The August home shall always be the permanent resting place for Codava Adam i. e. guru of all Codavas throughout the human history and the crest Kaimada (peak tower) proposed to be constructed for departed souls of all Codavas. We will also have a separate Nucleus Codava National Mand annexed to the Codava August Home. The Modalities Will be formulated in course of time.

One other programme before us that a codava Mission would meet the United Nations high Commissioner for Human rights, indigenous population and Minorities with a request that Codava Nationality should be treated as an unique and endangered minority nationality which calls for universal protection together with treating it as our Human Right. Birth right and Fundamental Right.

We hereby solemnly affirm and adopt unto ourselves the Codavasthan Emblem, flag and anthem for Codava Nationality. The emblem shall be 'A Codava tribes man in full traditional costume i.e. Kupya, Chaale, Peetchekathi and Mandethuni with a Odikathi in his right hand cutting edge facing downward and a Thirithok in his left hand and crossly placed Oadikathi and Peechekathi under neath, below that the letters CNC all within a red background encircled with flowers and beyond that the word Codava National Council -A struggle for the Codava Ethno Linguistic National Tribal identity & Codava land to blossom in white colour with blue background encircling.' Explanation –“Thirithok” : Thirithok means a primitive longish single barrelled broad and long but with a passage to ignite with a lamp, Thiri in Codava Thakk. “Odikathi” Odikathi means the traditional Codava sickle with broad bent back and near straight cutting edge narrowing down at handle. “Peechekathi”: Peechekathi means a normal dagger with bejewelled silver handle and invigilated in Silver sheath, embossed with sun & Moon symbols. “Chaale”: Chaale means the Cummerbund of red silken material with golden embroidery tied around the waiste and the Peechekathi shall be placed within the Chaale. “Kupya” : Kupya means broad half sleeved buttonless black long Coat. The Curnmberbud acts as a fastener. “Mandethuni” : Mandethuni means red headgear with checks. The Codava traditional costumes are personification of the life, hopes & aspirations, psyche and the ethos of a ethnic Codava tribes man.

Codava National Anthem We adopt the ode to Karona "Okka Periyone Guruve Karona Ninna Thothith banguva Okkadaanele Aadisthanavo Ainmanelu Boduva Swargavasiyada Atmosthanavo Kaimadathlu Boduva. " penned by Bachiraniyanda P. Appanna shall be our national anthem and of our regular prayer hymn. Beside national anthem we adopt the ode of "Nanga Codavanga Codagrodyenga' padebhoomil periyainga" originally penned by late Shri Yadumani and ably translated by Chekkera Shri Thyagaraj Appaiah, We have found out a definitive foundation and hopes and aspirations for Codavas in these declarations we have made this day. We Codavas make these declarations in the name of Sun. Moon and our respective Guru Kaaronas. Let not our birth right, the right to live as a Codava be taken away by any means and by any force. Our struggle for constitutional and universal recognition is fundamental for us and it certainly is a human right.

Much water has flowed down in River Cauvery during the past five decades and unimaginable changes have gone through. As such we must struggle hard and still hard in order to achieve our desired goal. We dare say we have the confidence to make CNC to be the one of the great forceful movements of the world.

AUTONOMOUS HOMELAND AND CONSTITUIONAL GUARANTEE IS THE LEGITIMATE RIGHT OF ‘CODAVAS’- PROF.BALVEER ARORA

“The recommendation of the National Commission to Review the working of the Constitution to set a development board and central university for Codagu should be implemented”, Balveer Arora, Rector and political scientist Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), said here.

He was speaking at a seminar organized by the Codava National Council (CNC), which is demanding a homeland for Codavas in Codagu District’. Prof. Arora said that if the Board and the university were established, they would help promote the concept of autonomy for Codava Land. The JNU would be happy to be associated with the management of a central university in Coorg, he added.

The latter referred to protection of the rights of the people of a particular region. A federal system ought to recognize that special need of the people of a particular region, and measures should be adopted, he added.

West Bengal EXAMPLE

Prof. Arora referred to the west Bengal Government’s initiative to form an autonomous Gorkha National Council, and said the intervention of Governments played a vital role in carving out autonomous regions. The funds required, territorial jurisdictions, accountability, etc., were fixed by the state government. But, if the state government turned hostile, the struggle for autonomy would face hurdles, he pointed out.

Stressing the importance of preserving linguistic heritage, prof. Arora said State governments could implement recommendations with regard to linguistic minorities.

However, the recommendations were not debated in parliament, and state Governments did not give much importance to them. Prof. Arora felt the inclusion of the Codava language in the VIII Schedule of the Constitution would help attain literary excellence and enable writers from the district win the recognition of the Central Sahitya Academy. To a question posed by a participant, he said the agitation launched by the CNC in a democratic setup was not anti- national activity. It should be viewed in a multi-cultural context, where the emphasis was on the right to identity, which was compatible with the constitution.

Earlier, the CNC Secretary-General, N U Nachappa said the “Struggle” of the CNC for attaining a Codava homeland, right to Self-determination, and recognition of Codavas as a separate nationality would continue.

‘CODAVA MINORITY NATIONALITY SHOULD BE RECOGNISED’
A Codava Family without Ain-Mane is unimaginable –Dr, M Abdul Kalam

There is nothing wrong in according due recognition to minority nationalities groups in a country such as India, which is wedded to democratic ideals, M Abdul Kalam, professor Department of Anthropology, University of Madras, Said here. He was speaking on the topic, “Codavas and their ain mane” (Codavas and their ancestral homes) at a seminar organized by the Codava National Council (CNC). There was nothing unconstitutional in a group of persons fighting for their rights using constitutional means, he said, in an obvious reference to the agitation of the CNC for a homeland for Codavas in Coorg District.

Dr. Kalam most appropriately mentioned that a Codava family without Ain-mane is unimaginable Codavas and they go hand in hand each other. Dr. Kalam, who is involved in research in coorg related to Codavas ancestral home and “Devakadu (sacred Groves) for the past 30 year, said that when a country such as Pakistan could recognize five nationalities like Sindhi, Panjabi, Pathan, Baluchi and Mohjirs, a democratic nation such as India should not lag behind. For the recognition of any nationality numbers is not a criteria as such recognition for Codava nationality be without any precedency. The native Americans remained non-citizen nationals of the U S till an amendment was brought in 1927, he added except perhaps some scattered cases in Russia and other former Soviet nations and Vergenia history does not record such family structure as has been invouage among Codavas. The Family hierarchy and the in explainable the variety of giving respect to the family elders is unique among Codavas.

Dr. Kalam regretted that Codava Samaja units were being used as “ Substitutes for Ainmane” to observe festival and ceremonies. The practice could prove detrimental to the community, he said, Ain mane was a structure where the concept of “Vokka”( a closely –knit family in the larger context) held sway over particular families organizationally. The concepts of “Vokka and “Kaimada” (temple for ancestors) should not lose their importance, he added. Dr. Kalam said there was difference between the traditional Codava Vokka joint family and the Hindu undivided joint family. The Lingayath rulers of Codagu made way for partition of joint property of Codava families in the beginning of the 19th century. But, the Codava chieftains represented to the British, who had annexed Coorg in 1834 it in 1859.

There have been various separatist movements in the world on the basis of culture, race and Language. Many are fighting for homeland. Even the charter of United Nations has provisions towards such an end.

At its inception united nations had but 5 nations with upto power and a few nations as its members. But the number has swelled to 191 just now.

There have been various separatist movements in the world on the basis of culture, race and language. Many are fighting for homeland. Even the Charter of United Nations has provisions towards such an end. Only recently East Timor secede from Indonesia in order to become 191st independent nation and leader of the guerilla nationalist movement Xanana Gusamao, became the first president of the new nation. If the resolution passes by the security Counsil of the United Nations very recently is to be of any indications, such a day is not that far when Palestine attains that full-fledged nationhood.

Similarly there have been many movements fighting for separate statehood in India these days. If our nation had only fifteen states at the time of independence, the number has grown to be twenty eight besides seven smaller states directly under the control of Central administration. The government positively responded to the claims and pressure of the inhabitants of such given regions. Article 371 of our Constitution guarantees the creation of Autonomous Regional Councils, District Developments Boards, Autonomous Districts, Scheduled Areas and Territorial councils. Articles 2,3 and 4 of Indian Constitution provides for the creation of new states which in other words reflect the underlying intention for the same and all the succeeding Governments, may be they are congress, B.J.P or Janata, from time to time have expressed their willingness to bring into action the principles enshrined therein. To quote an example, the state of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram have been divided into five north east centrally administered states ever since the year 1962 and they are Meghalaya, Assam and Arunachala Pradesh. One must remember that eight to ten new status, including Haryana, carved out by Jawaharlal Nehru and Mrs. Indira Gandhi. Sri Rajiv Gandhi gave full state status to Goa, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh in the year 1988. Not only that, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi himself gave Darjeeling Ghorka Hill Council also. Mr. P V Narasimha Rao gave Ladak Budhist Autonomous council, Jharkhand Autonomous Council and Bodoland Territorial Council in the year 1993.

North Eastern Tsesong Hill Council Karbihonglong Autonomous District, Garo Hill Council, Tripura Tribal Area Development Council. Cochar Hill District Council, Kutch, Saurastra Development Board, Maratwada and Vidharbha Development Board and Telengana Development Board are but the clear examples of recognizing the claim and aspirations of regional tribes, races and groups who have proved themselves to have independent existence and it certainly has been the land mark political package given by the congress Government under Article 371 and 5th and 6th schedules of the Constitution. The year 2000 saw Jharkand, Utharachal and Chathisghad emerge as independent states BJP holds power in Jharkand and the other two are run by Congress. Interesting to note is a political heavy weight and possibly one in the line up for prime Ministership shri. N. D.Tiwari is the chief Minister of the most recent tiny state of Utharanchal. Both BJP and congress are heading movements for the Creation of Telengana, Vidharbha, Maratwada, Rayalseeme, Kosala, Kamtipur and Bundelkhand states now and they might even succeed in their effort in the near future only recently caused some noise regarding the making Vanniyarnad as a separate state now within Tamilnad. The Diplomatic, political, moral and financial support extended by India for the creation of Bangladesh, Palestain, Cuba East Timor and Srilanka is an open secret.

While our Constitution guarantees fundamental rights like freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom connected touching organizing groups, why not Codavas and Coorg seek and insist for the same. Non can understand logic behind the opposition form some interested quarters regarding the pressure for creation of Codava Land even though it no more is a secret that our resources are exploited and we are being subjected to in human suppression. The fight for separate existence and identity of Codavaland is our birth right which no force on earth would. We must know that we are second to none.

. WHAT ARE AINMANE AND KARONA

The Concept of Ainmane is unique only to Codava Race and all those who have born brought up died and die as Codavas know what is Ainmane. The importance of Ainmane and the influence what it wields on Codava ethnicity. Each family has an Ainmane. From time immemorial every family activities have been taking place in respective Ainmanes, be it is the marriage or obsequies or family meetings each such things use to go on only in Ainmane. Members of the each family near around the Ainmane used to converge in the evenings in respective Ainmane. They used to interact there only. Strictly speaking Ainmane is the most sacred spot of every Codava clannish family, it is the temple of each family, our Kannikombore and Nellakki Nadubade always housed in Ainmane in a way each Ainmane is the most sanctum of every clannish Codava family is the sole presiding deity of that family and without bowing in reverence to him no Codava would step out of home. Gurukarona is our supreme ideal and no Codava places one other human individual besides the Guru Karona and we have firm faith that non-is equal to Guru Karona however much heights one has scaled in his life.

The concept of guru Karona and Ainmane has its say in each of Codavas activities. The advent of modern culture and the influence of other faiths has defiled our faith and reverence to Guru Karona and Ainmane. Now time has come that Codavas are looking for help from other quarters for each and every be it is very insignificant or important activities. It is the disbelief that has caused the trick. Our failure to respect our Guru Karona and our Ainmane has caused much havoc to Codavas. It is that disbelief that has ended up in our not being identified, as we should have been. In other words Codavas just now lack the unifying stature. We could not get reservation what constitution provides. Well be accounted for our failure to identify our own self. We need not have to ponder for each and every small necessities. One example: now the government proposed lay a new road or water supply scheme and such other basic amenities to any given area if only such area is in habituated with persons of schedule caste and tribes and such other reserved classes, no matter even if such other reserved classes, no matter even if such area or villages is thickly populated with Codavas only. This happened on account of our own failure to identify ourselves and our refusal to assert our rights on account of our being Codavas. I seek to quote the instance of the papal city Vatican. It is only the identifying feature of Christians to be as Christians and their respect and reverence for their Guru (Karona) through the pope has kept the mission alive, what more Vatican city has been treated as a city status with the status of a Sovereign nation by U N O.

We must know that Codavas have failed in this if we project. Our Ainmane and guru Karona as the Christians did a day is not that for when government also considers our 45 nads at par with Vatican.

Codava Parliament / Codava National Assembly constituted in the year 2004 1 Sept. by CNC i.e.. Codava Temporal – Spiritual Legislature i.e. Codava August Chamber for Codavathan & right of self- determination (Codava Parliament is on the lines of Tibetan parliament in exile, Sai Jirga in Baluchistan, Loya Jirga in Afganistan, Great Counicil of Chiefs in Fiji Ilands, Parsi Panchayath in India & Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandak Committee of Sikhs)

From ages as until the year 1956 when we became merged with Karnataka consequent to the State Reorganisation Act, we Codavas had our own independent existence and we even had our own legislative body. Even during the immediate Pre-independence days also we had our own system of traditional representative organisation under the name and style as Desha Sabhe, more akin to present day Parliament and customary principles of rules and regulations on the lines of British Constitution was our basic law. The principles of our customary laws should have bloomed to its fullest expanse by now had not the present day system of law based on population, caste, linguistic and politically biased taken unwarranted precedence. With Coorg becoming merged into Karnataka as from 1 November, 1956, all our hopes and aspirations and our cultural heritage and linguistic pre-eminence died down into nothingness. All the successive Governmerts have treated Codavas as aliens. Every Codava child now born is deemed to be a stranger in his own land. The Tibetan refugees have at least retained their own personal character and their own Parliament is exile in refugee camps at Dharmasala in Himachal Pradesh and have kept alive their cultural heritage but Godavas have failed in that sphere also. Religious1ecldershave kept alive the hopes and aspirations of Tibetans who have fled their mother Land, but who is there to look after Codavas

Session of Codava National Assembly i.e. Parliament ( the codava temporal spiritual legislature)

Session of Codava National Assembly i.e. Parliament ( the codava temporal spiritual legislature) Strangely, the Government deliberately failed to'" implement the guarantees envisaged in the 7th amendment to the Constitution regarding the properties and languages of Minorities sections of the people with regard to Codavas. Strangly, the govt. deliberately failed to implement the guarantees envisaged, promulgated and promised that the 7th amendment to the article 350 of the constitution under state reorganisation Act 1956 that the larger states should protect the rights and interests especially the land and language of the smaller states and segments which becomes merged with it fearing that there should never be any disparity as between all citizens regarding the same, and the govt. of Karnataka.

The democracy what supposed to be formulated on the foundation of the much talked about statement 'Sovereign, 'secular, socialistic democratic republic infect has thrown Codavas into streets and in a way the government is trying its hand to exterminate Codavas by resorting to ethnic cleansing.

The 24 spokes in the Ashok Chakra signify a meaningful republic that is constitutional guarantee regarding the protection of land, life, limb, language, heritage, political & economic freedom, inherent, birth, fundamental, constitutional & human rights and personal respect of all the citizens round 1he clock, and it necessarily means Republic but quite conversely that govt has done diametrically opposite to it with regard to Codavas. As such the word 'Republic' does not convey the real message what it should have with regard to Codavas.

Using some treacherous Codavas as human shield, the government has gained legal sanction in order to silence Codavas. We cannot afford any better deal from such a government. Independence day, Republican day and Rajyotsava day celebrations convey no meaning to Codavas when at a time we have been subjected to stark nakedness. Rightly said, the Rajyotsava Day celebration is a death knell to Codavas.

CNC during the last 18 years relentlessly has been spearheading a movement to attain an autonomous Codava Home land comprising of 45 ancient Codava Nads and to secure constitutional special guarantee for our land, language, cultural heritage, Economic and poliitical freedom and universal recognition for minority Codava Nationality and has conveyed such a message to all directions. Besides organizing message to alldirections. Besides organizing massive padayatras innumerable rallies and seminars and the like in Coorg and twice we conducted Delhi Chalo and Bangalore Chalo rallies successfully, CNC has succeeded to locating 'Cadava 'Kund' with an idea of establishing the epicenter that is Codava Cultural and language university and heritage centre. But the govt adopted a criminal silence to all these things.

While Mr. S.M.Krishna was in helm of affairs the govt of Karnataka promulgated an order invoking Art. 350 B of the constitution to the effect that Codava language would be made as an administrative language but astonishingly enough the very same govt. within a month thereafter revoked the said order and there by deliberately as insulted Codavas. And the Coorg development Board under Aft. 371 of the Constitution which the CRC Constitution Review Commission headed by Justice M.N. Venkatachalaiah thought fit to include in its recommendations done at our behest has not been implemented by the union government needless to add that the govt of Karnataka has benumbed us by slapping on our face regarding our land holdings, our right to claim distinctive respected place for our tongue, cultural heritage and unique civilization and has shrunken our hopes for public employment and educational opportunities All these factors do suggest a deduction that the govt of Karnataka is interested in our lands and all those things which this ancient land is capable of giving, but never at any moment Codavas

The things what govts has been perpetrating against the Codavas is in clear violation of universal declaration of touching human rights. India has been a signatory to the universal declaration of human rights, but our govts have failed to act in accordance with the declaration which it has accepted by refusing or failing to recognise Codavas, our legitimate rights guaranteed to all the ci1izen under constitution in the process the Union Govt nipped all our enthusiasm in the bud and the govt of Karnataka in turn did attempt successfully cut through our roots The govt of Karnataka has been advocating for all such rights and powers with regard to autonomy the right of self determination, classical status for Kannada language and of course unbridled power over Cauvery waters etc" but is denying the same and similar rights to Codavas who are very well within its (Karnatakas) suzerainty.

Even though there exists a Parliament and Assembly or Legislative council, they seem to have no relevance for Codavas. Articles 25 and 26 of our constitution allows all the citizens to celebrate their respective religious functions and festivals any where in India but it does not seem to be true for Codavas because the very fact the Government of Karnataka caused the arrest of participants who celebrated Edmiyar, the New Year Day of Codavas in the year 2003 of 14 April, and it definitely suggests a crude fact that our Government seeks to read the art 25 of constitution with restricted sense. 'It is the duty of the larger sections of the people to safeguard the Interest of minority communities’, said Mahathma Gandhi, the greatest of the humanist that world ever produced, but strangely enough no successive governments in Karnataka are known to have remembered the same at least as it related to Codavas To quote an example, the Karnataka govt did disrupt a seminar held on 10th December 2003 under the aegis of CNC half way through and there by rendered in fructuous the very attempt to get the Codava language included in the VIII the schedule of our Constitution. The seminar was being conducted on that day in order to observe the World Human rights day. In reality the government of Karnataka considers Kodagu as a mere resourceful colony in order to make available monetary reserve to it. Understandably, Codavas are no citizens according to the Government of Karnataka.

One single example for the rapacity of the Karnataka Govt. can be mentioned by finger pointing to an undeniable fact that names of all Codava villages have been systematically and unscrupulously changed into Kannada names and by denying all the opportunities to Codavas and curtailing their rights govt. made us to run away from our own land that has subverted demography of Codava Land. It is an evil design by the successive govt. of Karnataka. Our situation is more or less akin to the kindness a poor victim seeks from the one who has injured it while hunting.

We are the hunted here.

Despite all these things the govt so for has not expressed its inclination to invite us for a talk regarding the prime purpose of our legitimate struggle as though we are not at all an entity. Govt deliberately has been reproducing as though our existence is not at all known to it. Such being the case the only suggestion that the entire transaction forces any ordinary thinking human being to believe that we too should reciprocate such an enigma and say that the govt. has nothing to do with us and that it is almost dead, at least in relation to Codavas. In order to safe guard from the aggression and onslaught from govt. side and achieve all those things what we have been denied of all these years, this organisation has taken shape and in order to suitably amplify our grouse before the world community the Codavas parliament -Codava temporal, spiritual legislature i.e. Codava August chamber has been established and it would be a permanent feature.

Before parting, it would be better if it could be mentioned that hatred begets hatred only and on such a time tested principle we are forging ahead, After all Codavas hate hatred and we do believe that nothing would be achieved by being hateful individuals. We steadfastly believe in perseverance and we will certainly adhere to such a principle only. Ahimsas has been our Mantra of the living God His Holiness Dalailama and Gandhian Ahimsa a path only we will try to achieve our goals.

We desire to insist that the Codava Parliament would in all respects imbibe and follow the footprints of the Tibetan parliament in exile and we shall never deviate in any manner.