Archive · 20 Jan 2026
Codava National Council Demands Autonomy and Safeguards
The Codava National Council (CNC) is a group that wants special rights and protections for the Codava people.
On Republic Day, they reminded everyone of their long-standing demands.
They want their own land called Codavaland, recognition as an Indigenous community, and protection of their traditions.
They also want their language, Codava Thak, to be officially recognized and for Talacauvery to be a special pilgrimage site.
The CNC has been asking for these things peacefully for over 30 years and plans to hold a peaceful event in Madikeri on the next Republic Day.
They also want a special code for Codavas in the next national census.
CNC reaffirmed demands for Codava autonomy and constitutional safeguards on Republic Day.
Demands include geo-political autonomy under Articles 244 and 371, Indigenous recognition, and self-rule.
CNC seeks protection of Codava Gun-Thok practices, inclusion of Codava Thak in the Eighth Schedule, and UNESCO recognition of Codava cultural heritage.
Additional demands include declaration of Talacauvery as a pilgrimage site, allocation of Cauvery river water, and establishment of genocide and war memorials.
CNC announced peaceful protests near the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Madikeri on January 26, 2026, and seeks a separate code for Codavas in the 2026-27 Census.
- Who
- Codava National Council (CNC)
- What
- Demands for autonomy and constitutional safeguards for the Codava community
- When
- On the 77th Republic Day and future actions planned for 2026
- Where
- Madikeri, Kodagu
- Why
- To protect Codava cultural, political, and religious rights
- Organization
- Codava National Council (CNC)
- Demands
- Autonomy, Indigenous recognition, Cultural safeguards
- Constitutional Articles
- 244, 371, 25, 26, 49
- Key Sites
- Talacauvery, Codavaland
- Proposed Actions
- Peaceful protests, Memorials, Census code
- Timeline
- 2026 Republic Day, 2026-27 Census