Bengaluru bandh today: Cauvery row stretching Karnataka-Tamil Nadu explained

Earlier this week, Siddaramaiah urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and help mediate the dispute between the two states over the Cauvery case. “The Prime Minister has the power to convene the two states and hear their arguments. Considering this context, we have called for the Prime Minister’s intervention,” he said.

The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) directive directed Karnataka to extend the release of 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu by another 15 days.

However, officials stated that there was a lack of available water to comply with this order.

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What is the CWMA order?

The CWMA directive mandated Karnataka to maintain discharge of 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for another 15 days. However, officials have stated that there is insufficient water available for this release.

Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have long been embroiled in a dispute over the allocation of Cauvery river water dating back to the British colonial period. A resolution was reached in 1924 when the princely state of Mysore and the Madras presidency reached a compromise.

Also read: Cauvery river water row: Govt will not try to curtail protests, Bengaluru bandh, says Siddaramaiah

The agreement allowed Mysore to build a dam at Kannambadi village to store 44.8 billion cubic feet of water, with a review to take place after 50 years. Nevertheless, both states took the dispute to the Supreme Court several times after independence, but no resolution was reached.

Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal (CWDT)

In 1990, the government set up the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) with the aim of settling water disputes between the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry. The CWDT issued a temporary directive to Karnataka mandating the release of 205 million cubic feet of water to Tamil Nadu on a monthly or weekly basis.

Following the CWMA’s directive to release water to Tamil Nadu, prominent Congress leaders in Karnataka are claiming that there is no additional water available for release. “Let us put aside party politics and stand united in protecting our state, language, water, land and culture. The situation has become critical and there is no emergency formula,” said Siddaramaiah.

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Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, who oversees the water resources portfolio, stated that they have only one-third of the required quantity of water.

“We don’t even have drinking water. We have discussed this with all parliamentarians, who assured us that they will support our struggle. We urge the Supreme Court to give us justice. I hope we get justice,” Shivakumar added.

The Supreme Court refuses to intervene

On Thursday, the Supreme Court refused to take action on the CWMA directive directing the government to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu. A three-judge panel said it did not intend to consider Tamil Nadu’s appeal against the CWMA’s decision.

The bench emphasized that the CWMA and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) should thoroughly assess crucial factors such as drought and inadequate rainfall before issuing guidelines. Accordingly, the Supreme Court maintained its stand of not intervening in the order directing Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.

Also read: News from Bengaluru: Farmers, pro-Kannada outfits protest in Mandya over Cauvery row

Durai Murugan, a prominent DMK leader from Tamil Nadu, stated that Karnataka has consistently rejected all suggestions from Tamil Nadu regarding the Cauvery water sharing dispute. He further emphasized that the rights acquired by Tamil Nadu in this case were obtained through legal action, particularly by taking the issue to the Supreme Court.

Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda expressed the belief that the ongoing “dispute” between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu cannot be resolved through legal means. Instead, he suggested that a solution can only be reached if both sides engage in direct negotiations and discussions.

Amid the ongoing water sharing dispute at Cauvery, Kannada actors Darshan Thoogudeepa and Kichcha Sudeep also expressed their concerns over the need for a solution to the issue.

On X (formerly Twitter), Sudeep wrote: “Our prudence is our right. I believe that the government that won with so much consensus will not abandon the people who believe in Kaveri. I demand that the experts immediately formulate a strategy and deliver justice. I also have my voice in the land-water-language battle. May Mother Kaveri protect Karunad.”

(With input from agencies)

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Updated: Sep 26, 2023 07:30 IST