Kodava Sahitya Academy seeks review of references to community’s origin, attire in CBSE textbook

The Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy has sought a review of references to the origin and traditional attire of the Kodava community in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class X English textbook.

In a letter to the Chairperson and members of the CBSE Text Committee, Academy president Ajjinikanda C. Mahesh Nachaiah referred to passages in the Class X English textbook Glimpses of India , Chapter II, “Coorg”, and sought not only a scholarly review, but also correction and withdrawal of historically unsubstantiated statements concerning the origin and traditional attire of the Kodava community.

Identifying the passages in question, Mr. Nachaiah said the textbook states: “The fiercely independent people of Coorg are possibly of Greek or Arabic descent.” It also says: “As one story goes, a part of Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled here when return became impractical.”