Federation of Kodava Samajas to take up legal battle

Madikeri:  The Federation of Kodava Samajas has decided to take on certain vested interests who have filed a Writ Petition in the Karnataka High Court questioning the exemption to Kodavas and Jamma land holders in Kodagu district from obtaining a license to possess firearms under Section 3 and 4 of Indian Arms Act, 1959.

At the 12th Annual General Body Meeting of the Federation held recently at its headquarters at Balugodu village near Virajpet, it was decided that the Federation will take the legal battle forward. The meeting was chaired by Kallichanda Vishnu Cariappa.

Captain (Retd.) Yaladalu K. Chethan, son of Yaladalu D. Keshavananda has filed a Writ Petition in the HC on Jan. 8, 2018 and the Court has deferred the hearing after summer vacation.

In his petition (WP No. 1386/2018), Chethan, a resident of R.T. Nagar in Bengaluru, claimed that the continuation of the exemption, granted to some class of persons by the British government in pre-Independent India in furtherance of their divide-and-rule policy, was unconstitutional, as it was based on irrational, fictitious and discriminatory grounds, such as race and ancestral land tenure. He claimed that the exemption granted to Jamma holders and for the members of Kodava race under Section 3 and 4 Indian Arms Act differentiates between communities living in a society and promotes disharmony.

The Federation meeting criticised the move to file the Writ Petition and regretted that the petition has been filed at a time when different communities were leading a harmonious life in Kodagu and it attempts to divide the community. The Federation has stated that it will take on the issue legally and give an appropriate answer to the petition in the High Court. The decision was approved by the Federation President and members.

The Federation also decided to take the lead in fighting for issues where injustice is meted out to Kodava community in the future and act as  one voice in such cases.

Ashtamangala Prashne

The Federation also appealed to the heads of Kodava Samajas to attend a meeting at Talacauvery on June 18 and 19 where the issues brought out at the recently held Ashtamangala Prashne (octagonal questioning ceremony) will be discussed.

The Federation has stated that it will extend its full support for the Kodava Hockey Festival that will be organised next year by Harihara Mukkatira family. Federation President Vishnu Cariappa has clarified that members of all Kodava Samajas are the members of the Federation.

President of Bengaluru Kodava Samaja Mandeyada Ravi Uthappa, Madikeri Kodava Samaja President K.S. Devaiah, Somwarpet  Kodava Samaja President Maletira Abhimanyu Kumar, Balele Kodava Samaja President Malachira Bose Chittiappa, Federation Joint Secretary Codanda Sannu Uthappa, Secretary Voterira Shankari Poovaiah, Treasurer Chiriyappanda Kashiyappa, Patron Members Meriyanda C. Nanaiah,  Mallengada Dada Belliappa, Donor Member Bottolanda Mittu Chengappa, Women’s Association President Chiriyappanda Immi Uthappa and others were present on the dais.