Codava National Council stages human chain in Balele, demands separate census code and political representation

The protest included a symbolic oath ceremony pledging solidarity with the constitutional struggle for Codava identity. Photo: The Kodagu Express

Balele: The Codava National Council (CNC), under the leadership of its chairman N.U. Nachappa Codava, staged its fifth human chain protest in Balele (Pathkettnaad) on Sunday, renewing demands for a separate census code and political recognition for the indigenous, animistic Codava community.

Held ahead of the 2025-26 National Population and caste census, the event is part of CNC’s sustained campaign to secure constitutional, political and international recognition for Codavas. According to CNC, the upcoming enumeration will be critical in deciding political reservation for ethnic communities during the 2026 delimitation of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies.

“The mono-ethnic, minuscule Codavas must be recognised as a Scheduled Ethnic Community in the Constitution and given exclusive representation in Parliament, akin to the Sangha seat reserved for Buddhist monks in Sikkim,” said Nachappa. He also reiterated the demand for geopolitical autonomy and restitution of ancestral Codava lands taken during colonial and post-colonial rule.

The protest included a symbolic oath ceremony pledging solidarity with the constitutional struggle for Codava identity. Participants invoked natural and cultural symbols such as the Cauvery river, Sun-Moon, and Mother Earth during the pledge. The programme concluded with the singing of the national anthem.

CNC cited recent remarks by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar in support of the caste census, describing data as the foundation for equitable policy-making. “Separate Code and Column is very necessary for Codavas’ holistic empowerment,” Nachappa stated.

Previous human chain protests were held in Birunani, Kadanga, Kakkabe, and T. Shettigeri. The next protest is scheduled in Ponnampet on June 23.

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