Codava land: Protesters demand autonomy

Members of Codava National Council staged a dharna at Jantar Mantar on Thursday, to press their demand for an ‘autonomous Codava land’.

Wearing traditional costume, protesters urged the government to concede their long pending demand that the ‘Codavaland Autonomus Region’ be given status under 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

They also demanded that Codavas be accorded the status of ethno-linguistic tribal minority status under Articles 340 and 342 of the Constitution.

“Steps should be initiated to set up Codava Land Autonomous Region on par with the Bodoland Territorial Council in Assam and Darjeeling Gorkhaland Territorial Administration,” N U Nachappa Codava, president of the Codava National Council said addressing protestors.

Support

Reacting to the protest, Congress General Secretary B K Hariprasad said the party would support their demand of protection of their identity and culture. However, he did not respond to the question on demand for setting up an autonomous council.