Bengaluru: Distinguished Economist, Senior Statesman, and Legal Luminary Dr. Subramanian Swamy, is slated to present a momentous argument before the High Court concerning the conferment of autonomous status upon Codavaland (Kodagu) on August 3. This landmark legal contention headed by Dr. Swamy marks the first advocacy for Codavaland’s autonomy. The hearing is scheduled before the esteemed double bench comprising Chief Justice Prasanna Narvane and Justice Kamal.
The Writ Petition (PIL) bearing No. 7769/2023 was diligently filed by the principal petitioner, Dr. Subramanian Swamy, before the High Court of Karnataka. The PIL seeks the establishment of a Commission to examine the long-pending, rightful demand for Codavaland’s Geo-Political Autonomy, articulated by the Codava National Council (CNC). The CNC, represented by its Chairman, N. U. Nachappa Codava, is the second petitioner (No-2), while the Union Law Ministry, Union Home Ministry, and State of Karnataka are named as Respondents R-1, R-2, and R-3, respectively.
On April 17, 2023, the High Court issued notices to all three Respondents, instructing them to furnish their reply statements within 8 weeks, with a hearing scheduled for 14th June 2023.
The Codava National Council (CNC) has reasserted its claim for establishing an autonomous Codava region, drawing inspiration from the formation of independent states like Gorkhaland, Telangana, and Jharkhand. A memorandum has been submitted to the President, Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, and Karnataka Governor, wherein the CNC identified former ‘C’-type states like Bilaspur and Chotanagpur in Chhattisgarh, and Telangana in Andhra Pradesh, which have been elevated to autonomous entities.
According to CNC President, N. U. Nachappa Codava, “Kodagu was also a ‘C’-type state from 1953 to 1954, akin to Gorkha Land, inhabited by a warrior race in a similar socio-political environment. Article 2 and 3 of the Constitution’s 6th schedule, cited in the formation of Gorkha Land, also apply to Kodagu. The CNC urges the Government of India, the President, the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, and the Governor of Karnataka to consider extending autonomy to Kodagu as Codava land, similar to the formation of Gorkha Land.”
“The socio-political and economic conditions of Gorkha Land in West Bengal and Kodagu bear striking resemblances. While West Bengal has exploited Gorkhas and their territory in all aspects, Karnataka has similarly exploited Kodagu and Codava Tribes since the withdrawal of its ‘C’-type state status. Codavas still perceive Kodagu as a conquered territory, with Codava tribes subjected to subjugation. The state has actively pursued the depopulation of Codava tribes, replacing them with outside vote banks, external financiers, influential business magnates, deal makers, negotiators, developers, realtors, and underworld figures, solely to perpetuate their internal colonialism, thereby weakening Codava tribalism,” the memorandum highlights.
*Codavas have been persistently advocating for an autonomous hill council or region for the past 33 years.
*As early as 1950, Pandiyanda Belliappa, a former MLA, raised this issue before the country re-organization committee.
*While the Gorkhas, under the leadership of Subhash Gishing in the 1980s, resorted to armed struggle, Codavas have steadfastly employed Gandhian techniques in their pursuit of autonomy.