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SELF GOAL: KODAVAS (COORGS) SHOULD DROP THE PROPOSED ‘SHOW OF STRENGTH’ MARCH

By P.T. Bopanna

The “show of strength” march planned by the Kodavas (Coorgs) in Kodagu district of Karnataka is not in the interest of the indigenous people of Kodagu.

Various Kodagu-based organisations have given the call for the march to protest against the dress code imposed by the authorities of the Sree Maha Mrithyunjaya temple at Kattemade in Madikeri taluk. A section of the Gowda (Arebashe) community felt the Kodava devotees were disregarding the dress code as they dressed in the traditional attire of Kupya chale.

The march (padayatra) has been planned to start from Kutta town on February 2 and converge at Madikeri on February 7.

The proposed march is in response to a ‘show of strength’ show held by the Arebashe Gowdas in Madikeri sometime ago.

At a time when the future of the indigenous communities are at stake in Kodagu, an amicable solution would go a long way in securing the future of all the residents living in Kodagu.

The various indigenous communities in Kodagu have co-existed for centuries as one ‘big family’.

The dress code dispute is nothing new. A few years ago, Kodavas were told not to enter the holy Talacauvery temple in their traditional attire. This was believed to have been masterminded by a leading Kodagu politician who sought to create a rift between Kodavas and Arebashe Gowdas for taking political advantage.

The district administration should step in immediately to resolve the issue. Or the matter could be referred to a court of law.

It is not advisable to hold such protest march at this time of the year, especially when the coffee harvest season is underway.

It is quite possible that anti-social elements could take advantage of the situation and create problems. The innocent marchers could be targeted by miscreants. The head priest of the Kattemadu temple was attacked on January 27. It is the handiwork of miscreants out to create a rift between the communities.