Deccan Herald

BANGALORE: Activists of the Kodagu Heggade Vidyabhirvudhi Sangha and members of various other Kodava communities like Amma Kodava, Koyuva, Airi, Kodava Hajama, Kudiya and Banna staged a demonstration in Bangalore on Monday protesting against the 'injustice' meted out to several endemic tribes and communities of Kodagu while nominating members to the Kodava Sahitya Academy.

The protesters pointed out that there are 17 communities, which have their own culture and tradition in Kodagu district apart from the dominant Kodavas. "There are scholars, litterateurs and writers belonging to these 17 communities. However, the government has nominated only two non-Kodava members while the remaining ten positions have been occupied by Kodavas in the academy. This has reduced the other 17 Kodava communities to the rank of minorities," the protesters contended.

Mr Krishna Kumar, a Amma Kodava, alleged that Kodavas, who are championing the cause of separate Statehood for Kodagu, have been nominated to the Kodava Sahitya Academy. "The Sahitya Academy members will now further push through their case for separate Statehood for Kodagu. The decision to appoint Kodavas to the academy will backfire on the government. There is a need to reconsider the the list of nominees to the academy," he added. Members of Kannada Chalavali Vatal Paksha, accused the government of creating differences within the Kodava communities in nominating members to the Kodava Sahitya Academy.