Madikeri: Jammada A. Karumbaiah, president of Kodagu Citizens Forum, has said that there is no reason to probe the origin of the Kodavas through DNA test as planned by an organisation in Kodagu. It may not be acceptable to all, he said.

Mr. Karumbaiah, who is former president of the Kodagu Zilla Parishat, said in a release here on Tuesday that it is an established fact that Kodavas have been living in the district for over 1,000 years. They are a unique minority community with a martial tradition, he said.

The Kodagu Natural Sciences Society has embarked on a project to probe the origin of the Kodavas.

There are different views regarding the origin of the Kodavas. While some say they came from Yemen, others feel they are Scythians who came to India with Alexander. A few others believe that they are of Pallava origin.

Whatever the outcome, the probe may lead to a division among the Kodavas, he said. The forum will request the Kodavas to initiate a debate over the issue before the inquiry moves forward.

Mr. Karumbaiah said the earliest reference to Kodagu is found in the `Skanda Purana.' According to it, Kodavas are the descendants of King Chandravarma who ruled over Kodagu.

Enough evidence

This is enough evidence to prove the existence of Kodavas here for centuries. Kodavas came under the influence of Lingayat kings and later the British, who annexed Coorg in 1834, he said.

Mr. Karumbaiah congratulated Akhila Kodava Samaja and other Kodava Samaja units for taking steps to celebrate the centenary of late General K.S. Thimmaiah in Kodagu.

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