A significant step was taken on Monday in the long-standing quest to secure constitutional recognition for the Kodava language. The Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy convened a preliminary meeting at the Virajpet Kodava Samaj to gather crucial feedback and chart a path forward for this pivotal demand.
Unified Call for a Comprehensive Report
Virajpet MLA and Chief Minister's legal adviser, Ajjikuttira S Ponnanna, addressed the gathering, outlining the critical next steps. He emphasized that a detailed and comprehensive report on the Kodava language, its customs, culture, traditions, and practitioners must be meticulously prepared for submission to the state government. Ponnanna clarified that both the Union and state governments have formally requested this document. The inclusion process can only advance once Karnataka submits this report and the Union Cabinet takes up the proposal for consideration.
Highlighting the deep connection between language and community survival, Ponnanna also pointed out the special concern the Chief Minister holds for the Kodava language. He urged for the formation of a dedicated committee comprising linguists, writers, and community leaders to undertake the task of creating an in-depth and authoritative report.
Decades of Advocacy and the Current Imperative
Cheppudira Arun Machaiah, Vice-President of the Karnataka Sports Authority, provided historical context, noting that the issue had been raised twice before in the Lok Sabha. He stressed that a thorough report is now more essential than ever, particularly as the current impetus comes from a circular issued by the Union Government itself.
The President of Akhila Kodava Samaj, Paradanda Subramani, articulated the core objective: inclusion in the Eighth Schedule is necessary to grant the Kodava language official status. He, however, lamented the historical challenge of not having ancient inscriptions in a distinct Kodava script, a factor often considered in such recognitions.
Community stalwarts Padinjaranda Aiyappa and Mechira Subhash Nanaiah voiced their strong support for the initiative. They acknowledged the sustained, years-long efforts of Nandineravada Nachappa, President of the Kodava National Council (KNC).
A Language with a 4,500-Year Legacy
Nachappa himself made a powerful case, asserting that the Kodava language boasts a rich history spanning over 4,500 years. He pointed to the substantial contributions of writers, numerous publications, and continuous public movements—including satyagrahas and representations made on UNESCO's International Mother Language Day—as testament to its vitality.
He explained that recognition under the Eighth Schedule would empower the use of Kodava in Parliament with translation facilities. Nachappa also issued a clarion call to the community, urging them to actively use the language in daily life to strengthen its foundation.
Ajjinikanda Mahesh Nachaiah, President of the Kodava Sahitya Academy, noted that the language is widely spoken in the Kodagu region. He highlighted that several organizations, including the KNC and UKO, have been fighting for its inclusion for many years.
The meeting, which also saw the presence of Kodava Samaja Federation president Kallichanda Vishnu Cariappa, concluded with a renewed sense of purpose to compile a definitive report that could finally achieve this historic recognition for the Kodava language and its people.
