Kodava Organisations Oppose Gowda Samaja Federation Move to Legally Challenge Community Demands

The reported decision has drawn strong opposition from Kodava organisations.

Madikeri: Several Kodava community organisations have opposed a decision reportedly taken by the Kodagu Gowda Samaja Federation to pursue legal action against demands being raised by a Kodava organisation, including “Kodava Land,” Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for Kodavas, geographical and political recognition, and other related issues.

The development follows a special meeting of the Kodagu Gowda Samaja Federation held in Madikeri on September 6. According to a report by Shakthi daily, members discussed the possible implications of the demands being placed before courts and the government by a Kodava organisation. Participants reportedly expressed concern that the demands could have implications for the Gowda community and other indigenous communities in Kodagu.

The meeting was held at the Gowda Samaja in Madikeri under the chairmanship of Gowda Samaja Federation president Anand Karandlaje. During the meeting, members were reportedly briefed on the issue, while a presentation was made outlining what were described as possible adverse impacts of the Kodava organisation’s demands on the Gowda community and other communities in the district.

The reported decision has drawn strong opposition from Kodava organisations. The Madikeri Kodava Samaja, in a statement issued on September 7, expressed strong displeasure and condemned the reported decision, alleging that it was aimed at opposing or suppressing the struggles being undertaken for the existence, rights and legitimate demands of the Kodava community.

The organisation said various Kodava groups were pursuing their demands through democratic and lawful means. It maintained that the Kodava community has the right to place legitimate demands, including the demand for “Kodava Land,” before the government and appropriate constitutional and legal institutions.

The Kodava Samaja also referred to the activities of organisations such as the Codava National Council (CNC), stating that they have been campaigning on issues concerning Kodava identity and rights from villages to Delhi and approaching courts as part of their efforts.

At the same time, the Kodava Samaja clarified that it had no objection to the Gowda community putting forward its own legitimate demands through democratic and constitutional channels. However, it opposed what it described as organised efforts to resist the rights and recognition being sought by Kodavas through lawful processes, including the demand for ST status.

The participation of sitting MLA Dr. Manthar Gowda and former MLA K.G. Bopaiah in the Gowda Samaja meeting was also questioned by the Kodava Samaja. The organisation said elected representatives have a responsibility to represent all communities in their constituencies and should not be seen as representing only one community.

Meanwhile, Jabhoomi Charitable Trust also criticised the reported development, stating that the Kodava community does not require anyone’s permission to raise issues concerning its identity, culture, land, language and constitutional rights.

The trust said raising such demands is part of the democratic rights guaranteed by the Constitution and should not be viewed as an action directed against another community. It stressed that constitutional demands do not require majority approval and that their validity should ultimately be determined through evidence, law and constitutional institutions.

The trust urged all sides to address differences over Kodava demands through facts, reason and legal processes rather than social pressure, while calling for mutual respect among the different communities of Kodagu.

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