Madikeri: "Geo-Political Autonomy under Article 244R/w 6th and 8th Schedule of our Constitution is the only panacea to retain, protect our pristine land and for historical continuity of ancient indigenous native Kodava tribe in this soil,” opined Codava National Council(CNC) President Nandineravanda U Nachappa in a programme at Arecad near Murnad.
Mr Nachappa received felicitation from Arecad and Hoskeri Codava Cultural and Recreation club on Saturday. “Kodavas are indigenous natives of Kodava territory. Other than Kodavas, those who came and settled here are citizens of this land and not indigenous. Those who entered in the voter list are considered as citizens. But they are not the Natives of this land. Definition of indigenous is entirely different from that of citizens. During the inception of this mother earth, Codava Genus germinated in this soil. How Kashmiri Pandits are indigenous to Kashmir, Kodavas are indigenous to Kodava territory. Other than Coorg, there is no cultural root outside Coorg for Kodavas,” he said.
“Initially, the entire Codava Land had belonged to Kodavas. The outside conquerors who ruled us confiscated rather than snatched and expropriated our ancestral lands and distributed to their fellow immigrant subjects and leased it out and sold to outside wealthiest people. Britishers also followed the suit,” Mr Nachappa explained.
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Ancestral hereditary communal lands, Devakaad, Mandhs, Temple lands and Gomalas(Baane), Kodavas preserved to maintain Geo-Physical equilibrium and environmental balance, according to Mr Nachappa.
“After India attained its independence and subsequently after the merger of our Kodava State into Karnataka in 1956 under State reorganization Act, large scale influx occurred. The democratic dictators rather neo- colonial forces continued the criminal legacy of barbaric Rajas, Tipu and colonial forces. Entire demography being jeopardized. They introduced draconian laws to control indigenous Kodavas. Many people from outside have plundered our land, water resources, mineral and natural wealth. Under this circle of venomous serpents, native Kodavas life has become miserable,” he opined.
Mr Nachappa further said that to come out from the shackles of this anomaly, the only panacea is to attain Codavaland Geo- Political Autonomy envisioned by CNC from the past 33 years. “Our legitimate aspiration is seconded by Former Minister Subramanian Swamy who has filed WP( PIL) before the High Court of Karnataka. To maintain the serenity, tranquility and protect this pristine land and ancient native Kodava tribe, Kodavas should determine their rights by having their own self rule,” Mr Nachappa added.
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