Gonikoppa: Protests erupted across Kodagu district this noon in response to the preventive arrests of hundreds of Kodava community members, who were planning a peaceful rally against a dress code issue at Maha Mrithyunjaya Temple in Kattemad village. Traditional  Kodava attire was denied entry, leading to the community’s frustration.

Members of the Kodava community blocked roads in several locations and staged protests against the Police actions, who took community members in buses to far-off places like Kushalnagar and Koodige and into the forest areas.

Roads were blocked at Virajpet, Hudikeri, B. Shettigeri, Ponnampet, and Napoklu, while shops and business outlets remained closed in protest. Community members sat on the roads to express their anger against the Police actions and the arrests of their fellow community members.

“I strongly condemn the arrest of members of the Kodava community by the police. The Kodagu district administration must address such issues with peace and harmony, making efforts to take both communities into confidence,” said Mysuru-Kodagu MP  Yaduveer Wadiyar.