The demonstration was prompted after Kodavas were barred from entering the Kattemad Maha Mrityunjaya Temple while wearing their traditional attire, an incident that organisers say exemplifies growing cultural marginalisation.
Published Feb 06, 2025 | 6:12 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 06, 2025 | 6:12 PM
Synopsis: Thousands of members of the Kodava community in Karnataka are participating in an 80-kilometer peace march from Kutta to Madikeri to protest cultural marginalization and declining population numbers. The march, which began on January 31 and will conclude on February 2, has drawn over 15,000 participants and received support from various local communities, including Muslims and others.
More than 15,000 members of the Kodava community are participating in an 80-km peace march across Kodagu district to highlight concerns about their declining numbers and cultural dilution, with organisers reporting larger-than-anticipated turnouts at each stage.
The Federation of Kodava Samajas organised the ‘Kodavame Balo Padayatra’ from Kutta, near the Kerala boundary, which began on February 2 and will conclude in Madikeri on February 7. The inaugural gathering at Kutta bus stand saw participants march 2.5 km before embarking on their extended journey.
The demonstration was prompted after Kodavas were barred from entering the Kattemad Maha Mrityunjaya Temple while wearing their traditional attire, an incident that organisers say exemplifies growing cultural marginalisation. The community has expressed concerns about socio-political alienation and the impact of increasing migration from neighbouring regions of Karnataka.
The ongoing march has witnessed strong support from various communities along its route. At Jodubeeti, the Kembatti community offered refreshments, while local Kodava families in Aruvathokkalu village extended their hospitality. In Gonikoppal, the Jamma Muslim, Kaniya and Kembatti groups distributed refreshments.
The demonstration has drawn participation across age groups, with 86-year-old Bayavanda Saraswathi Poovayya from Hysodlur village joining in her wheelchair. Cultural performances have been a significant feature of the march, with women from T Shettigeri Kodava Samaja’s Pommakkada Koota and the Sambhrama Women’s Cultural Centre performing traditional folk dances.
The march has thus far covered T Shettigeri, Hudikeri, Ponnampet, Gonikoppal, Bittangala and Bethri. In Ponnampet, participants paid respects at the statues of town founder Diwan Cheppudira Ponnappa and Mahatma Gandhi. The route from Bittangala proceeded through Heggade Samaja, past Virajpet Clock Tower and Kakotuparambu, before reaching Bethri.
The march has been jointly organised by the Akhila Kodava Samaja, Federation of Kodava Samajas, and Kodava Sahitya Academy.
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Nolan Patrick Pinto)
