As Devatiparamb issue continues to boil Kodagu, squashing of the case filed against CNC by forest department comes as a massive physiological win for the organization fighting for Kodava rights.
Codava Nation Council which has now been constantly raising the issue of biggest human genocide by Tippu again Kodavas at various platform had found itself in trouble couple of months back when forest department and few other groups in Kodagu opposed the move to install memorial pillars at Devatiparamb. CNC has urged both central and state government to build a memorial similar to that of Jallianwalla Bagh at Devatiparamb. The issue is now long standing and has created a huge rift between communities in Kodagu. While one section of the people say no memorial should be built at Devatiparamb. Kodavas under the leadership of N U Nachappa has claimed Devatiparamb is a sacred place for Kodavas and a memorial should be built there.
Tippu after realizing he would not be able to defeat Kodavas called for a peace talk at Devathiparamb located on banks of river Cavery and killed more than 80,000 Kodavas, captured more than 1 lakh Kodavas and deported them to Srirangapatana. Devatiparamb witnessed the biggest human genocide of the human race and hence Kodavas have been claiming their rights over this piece of land and a have been urging the governments to build a memorial in remembrance of all those innocent souls who lost their life at Devatiparamb. Many Historians have also claimed that this human genocide will make way for Kodavas to become extinct.
CNC leader N U Nachappa had filed a petition requesting the high court to squash the case filed by the forest department. The petition was heard at high court of Karnataka by Justice Anand Byrareddy, the prosecutor argued that N U Nachappa had illegally installed memorial at Devatiparamb and he was indulged in illegal activities in forest limits However Nachappas advocate argued there were no illegal activities at the site, he went on to prove Devatiparamb is a sacred worship place for Kodavas and some politicians have influenced to file a case on CNC to curb their fight to install memorial. The lawyer went on to prove using the pictures clicked at Devatiparamb that it was only stone pillars which were installed at Devatiparamb.
Judge squashed the case against N U Nachappa and CNC stating forest department didn’t follow the law and the case filed by the organization only proves external influence. HC also said that all allegation made on CNC didn’t have any proof and police had to take permission from the court to conduct the investigation. N U Nachappa speaking to Readoo India said he has always believed in the Indian judiciary system and the truth always wins. N U Nachappa Codava, President of CNC went on to say his organization will now go ahead with all legality required for the construction of the memorial. He said CNC is planning a massive protest in front of French embassy demanding an apology to Kodava race for French’s role in helping Tippu to massacre Kodava at Devatiparamb. He added considering the contribution of the Kodava race towards nation building both state and central government should now take a stand and build the monument at Devatiparamb.
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