Lawyer seeks LS and RS memberships exclusively for Coorgis

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) A Supreme Court lawyer from Kodagu District in Karnataka has submitted before the Delimitation Commission that Coorg district, a Part 'C' State in the Comity of States, had slipped from its pre-eminence and was a pale shadow of its glorious former self after its merger into Karnataka in reorganisation of states on linguistic basis in 1956.

Supreme Court lawyer, Mr Brajesh Kalappa of Kodava descent, argues in the petition that Kodagu should be made a Lok Sabha constitutency like Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu, Dadra Nagar Haveli, Ladakh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Coorg, the birthplace of the Cauvery, has a population of 5,45,000 people as per the 2001 census and has retained its distinct identity through its unique customs, traditions, racial features and lifestyle. It is now a district with a total of three MLAs representing it.

Coorg is four times larger than Hong Kong, and seven times larger than Singapore. The Kodavas of Coorg are fiery, independent minded, self-respecting and law-abiding people who have produced India's finest soldiers, athletes and professionals. The land is fertile and accounts for varied and valuable agricultural crops including coffee, pepper and cardamom.

Kodavas have an independent history. They ought to have their own representative in Parliament rather than be reduced to being 'mute spectators' in a participative democracy, he argued.

The Constitution permitted them to carry guns without a licence and it was seen as Scotland of India. The Misty hills, the lush forests, acres of tea and coffee plantation, orange groves, undulating streets and breathtaking views are what make Coorg an unforgettable holiday destination for tourists, he added.

From the Medieval Era till 1633, Coorg was an independent Kingdom of Federal Composition with 12 principalities ruled by the Codava rulers of Coorg from 1633 to 1834. It was an independent Kingdom under Lingayath rulers of Ikkeri Dynasty. The area came directly under British Empire administrated by Chief commissioners subordinate to Viceroys.

MORE UNI