CNC to move UN on autonomy

Disclosing this here on Tuesday, CNC President N U Nachappa said his organisation, which is fighting for the rights of the Codavas, had some time ago written to the United Nations with its demand. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon wrote back asking the CNC to move its appeal before the UNHRC saying that the Rights’ world body was the proper forum for the Council to place its demand.

Nachappa said he himself would be visiting the Geneva headquarters of UNCHR next year to press the CNC demand. Asked how it would help, Nachappa said the world body can direct the Indian government to look into the demand for an autonomous region to the Codavas.

Not giving autonomy to a national minority like the Codavas was violation of the UN charter by India, he added. The memorandum to UNCHR would highlight issues like the Codava identity being ‘suppressed,’ that their politico-cultural identity be protected etc. The CNC will also go overseas with its demand. Nachappa would visit Dubai on December 2 on an invitation of the Codava Friends Association there. There is also an invitation from the Codava Association of USA, he added saying the visits were mainly to create an awareness about the autonomy demands of the Codavas.

Nachappa said the annual peaceful satyagraha of the CNC in the Union capital would be held on November 1 to observe Rajyothsava as ‘black day’. People from Kodagu in traditional attire will hold a demonstration in the capital after which memorandums to the president, prime minister and home minister would be submitted, he added.