Six-day Kodava Peace March Concludes in Madikeri; Thousands Rally for Constitutional Safeguards
- Saritha Devaiah Ballachanda
- Feb 7
- 3 min read
Madikeri: Madikeri witnessed a massive gathering on Friday as thousands of Kodavas from across the district and the State assembled for the grand culmination of the "Kodavame Balo Padayatra." This 84-kilometre-long march, aimed at securing constitutional protection for the Kodava community's rich cultural heritage, concluded in the town after six days of trekking from Kutta.
The final leg of the rally saw a large crowd converging at General K.S. Thimayya Stadium, marking the end of a march that was described as unprecedented in the history of Kodagu. Organised by the Akhila Kodava Samaja, the event was a powerful demonstration of the community’s collective concern regarding the gradual erosion of their cultural identity and traditions.
While the Kodava people have long been advocating for special status and recognition, their demands have largely remained unaddressed. The immediate catalyst for this large-scale mobilisation was a recent incident in Kattemad, where community members wearing traditional Kodava attire were denied entry into a temple for allegedly violating the prescribed dress code. This episode ignited widespread outrage and prompted various Kodava organisations to unite in an effort to highlight the broader issues of marginalisation faced by the community.
The concluding march commenced at 10:30 a.m. from Sri Bhagawathi Temple, with men and women of all ages dressed in traditional Kodava clothing participating enthusiastically. Additional contingents joined from Bhagamandala, while another large group marched in from Kushalnagar and Siddapura, underscoring the widespread support for the movement.
During the closing ceremony, Akhila Kodava Samaja president Pardanda Subramani Kaverappa presented a memorandum of demands to Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkatraja. In response, Mr. Venkatraja assured that the memorandum would be forwarded to both the State and Central governments for further consideration. He also pledged that the district administration would take all feasible steps to address the concerns raised by the community.
The memorandum submitted by the Akhila Kodava Samaja calls for constitutional safeguards to protect the Kodava way of life, including their religious customs and rituals. It also demands stringent measures against dominant groups that attempt to exploit the Kodava community for political advantage. Expressing alarm over efforts to undermine Kodava traditions, the organisation has urged the government to take strict action against those responsible for such acts.
Additionally, the memorandum insists on government intervention to prevent any attempts to disrespect Kodava customs in temples and other places of worship. It also seeks action against those involved in the Kattemad incident, which sparked the present movement.
To ensure the peaceful execution of the event, the Kodagu police implemented extensive security measures. The law enforcement deployment included the Superintendent of Police (SP), Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), six Deputy Superintendents of Police (Dy.SPs), 18 Inspectors, 35 Sub-Inspectors, 55 Assistant Sub-Inspectors, and 430 Head Constables. Furthermore, five special platoons, including 100 personnel from the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and 70 members from the District Armed Reserve (DAR), were positioned across Madikeri. Additional reinforcements from outside the district were also brought in to maintain law and order.
In a further measure to prevent any disruptions, authorities imposed a temporary ban on the sale of alcohol in Madikeri. The police also coordinated with volunteers to ensure that the peaceful nature of the Kodava rally was upheld throughout the day.
The rally’s conclusion in Madikeri marks a significant moment in the Kodava community’s ongoing struggle to preserve its unique identity. With their concerns formally presented to the authorities, the community now awaits government action on their long-standing demands.
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