Madikeri
The Codava National Council is set to launch a campaign at Talacauvery on May 1, demanding exclusive political representation for the Codava community in the upcoming delimitation exercise.
Council convenor N.U. Nachappa said the campaign will focus on long-pending demands, including the creation of exclusive Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies for Codavas within their traditional homeland. He said the proposal is aimed at ensuring adequate political representation without altering existing territorial boundaries.
As an alternative, the organisation has also suggested an “intangible constituency” model similar to arrangements used in other parts of India, which would allow representation based on community identity rather than strictly defined geography.
The CNC is also demanding a separate enumeration of Codavas in the national census to establish clearer demographic data for constitutional and political considerations. It argues that such recognition is necessary to safeguard the community’s rights and cultural identity.
Other key demands include constitutional protection for Codava religious practices, inclusion of the Codava language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, and formal recognition of Talacauvery as a protected sacred site.
The council has also raised issues related to restoration of ancestral lands, recognition of historical grievances, and establishment of memorials in Kodagu. It further highlighted concerns over Cauvery water sharing and the need to correct historical narratives related to Codava heritage.
The Talacauvery campaign is expected to mark the beginning of a wider outreach effort by the organisation ahead of the delimitation process, aimed at engaging policymakers and raising awareness of community demands.