Top News

The ongoing dispute regarding the sharing of Cauvery water between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu intensified on Friday. Karnataka's Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar urged his Tamil Nadu counterpart to postpone a proposed visit to Bengaluru amid escalating political tensions and a shutdown called by pro-Kannada organizations.

These groups expressed their discontent by targeting the recent film 'Jananayakan' starring C. Joseph Vijay, which was screened in Karnataka theaters. In response to the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's (CWRC) directive to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days, large-scale protests erupted in Karnataka. The Tamil Nadu government announced plans to approach the Supreme Court to secure its rightful share of water. Opposition parties in both states remained firm on their demands related to state welfare, with the BJP staging protests outside the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) dam in Mandya.

In an attempt to foster a more amicable atmosphere, Shivakumar requested Vijay to reschedule his Bengaluru visit originally planned for August 3. There was no immediate response from Tamil Nadu regarding this request. After discussions with his cabinet colleagues, legal team, and senior officials, Shivakumar stated, 'I urge them to postpone their proposed visit for a while.'

He added, 'Conditions are improving with good rainfall and increased water inflow. Let’s hold our meeting in a more favorable and cordial environment.' This appeal came amidst widespread protests led by BJP leaders, farmers, and pro-Kannada organizations, particularly in Mandya district, where precautionary detentions were made as BJP leaders attempted to march towards the KRS dam.

Protesters also tore down posters of Vijay's newly released film 'Jananayakan', halted screenings in some theaters, and staged symbolic protests against the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) orders. This film could potentially be Vijay's last. Emphasizing Karnataka's tradition of welcoming visitors, Shivakumar remarked, 'Whenever a guest arrives in our state, we should greet them warmly and with affection.'

He reiterated that Karnataka has always welcomed people from across the country and stressed the importance of not hurting anyone's sentiments. The Chief Minister mentioned that preparations for the proposed meeting with Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister had already begun, and they are ready to engage in discussions once the situation normalizes. He indicated that after consulting with Vijay and following a multi-party meeting scheduled for Sunday to discuss the state's legal and political response, he would again request to set a new date by mutual agreement.

Earlier in the day, Tamil Nadu Minister R. Nirmal Kumar dismissed Karnataka's stance on the Cauvery water dispute, asserting that the state government would seek its designated share through the Supreme Court. Speaking to reporters in Chennai, he stated, 'We must legally secure the necessary water through the Supreme Court.' He emphasized that Tamil Nadu is prepared to take legal action to protect the rights of its farmers, noting that Karnataka's political approach has historically been centered on denying water.

He remarked, 'For 30, 40, or even 100 years, their entire political stance has been based on the premise that they will not provide water.' The Tamil Nadu government views this dispute not merely as a political issue but as a crucial lifeline for its farming community. Kumar expressed hope that Chief Minister Vijay would announce the state's comprehensive legal strategy and final decisions within a week. Defending his government's approach to the dispute, Shivakumar rejected opposition claims that the government failed to effectively present its case before the CWMA.

He stated, 'Even if the authority believes we have sufficient water, it is my duty and that of my government to protect Karnataka's interests.' In a plea to pro-Kannada organizations to withdraw their planned protests on August 13, the Chief Minister said, 'I appeal to them with folded hands that there is no need to take such a step. We are already standing with you. A shutdown will not resolve this issue.'

Additionally, Shivakumar strongly advocated for the long-stalled Mekedatu reservoir project, asserting that it would benefit Tamil Nadu as well. He noted, 'In my view, the Mekedatu project will provide more advantages to Tamil Nadu than to Karnataka. The only direct benefit for Karnataka would be the generation of approximately 400 megawatts of hydroelectric power.'

Several leaders, including BJP Karnataka unit president B.Y. Vijayendra, were precautionarily detained on Friday while marching to encircle the Krishna Raja Sagara dam in protest against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. The BJP warned that if the state government does not assure that Cauvery water will not be released to Tamil Nadu, the party will boycott the multi-party meeting called by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on August 2.

In Chennai, opposition parties, including AIADMK and PMK, demanded that the government ensure Tamil Nadu's rights in the Cauvery matter. AIADMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami called for a multi-party meeting.