By P.T. Bopanna
Addressing the 27th Codava National Day, organised by the Codava National Council at Madikeri recently, Swamy, a Rajya Sabha MP, said the demand for autonomy for Kodagu was perfectly justified to protect their race, community, traditions and customs.
Swamy also promised to extend his support for inclusion of the Kodava language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
“The support that I had extended for Telangana will be extended to the Kodavas too,” he added.
EDITORIAL: While the stand taken by Swamy is laudable, the CNC should not insist on its demand for ‘Codava Land’ which is not a practicable idea. The non-Kodavas, who are numerically in a majority in Kodagu, will not support Codava Land.
The autonomous council should be an inclusive body, not confined to any one community. It should represent the aspirations of all the people living in Kodagu.
The problems faced by the people of Kodagu are mainly connected with the development of infrastructure in the district. This can be better addressed by an autonomous council, elected by the people of Kodagu.