Mandya: In a remarkable display of collective discontent, various organisations, including farmers’ unions, pro-Kannada groups, and the assertive MLA Darshan Puttannaiah from Melukote, have come together in the Mandya District. Their united demand is a firm cessation of the release of Cauvery river water to the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu by the Karnataka Government.
Central to this growing agitation is the contentious issue of water sharing, governed by the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). The Karnataka Government has been releasing a daily quota of 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu since August 29, a move met with strong opposition from a broad spectrum of the local population.
The ‘Kasturi Karnataka People’s Forum,’ a prominent organisation leading this protest, organised a unique demonstration at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Mandya. They poured milk and tender coconut water over the Cauvery statue, offering fervent prayers for a favourable outcome in the upcoming Supreme Court hearing.
In parallel, pro-Kannada activists in nearby Srirangapattana waded knee-deep into the Cauvery waters, raising passionate slogans against the Karnataka Government. Their symbolic actions underlined the depth of frustration and concern resonating across the state.
Melukote MLA Darshan Puttannaiah, who spearheads the farmers’ unions, emphasised their unwavering commitment to pursuing legal avenues to resolve the water dispute. “After seeking advice from senior leaders, we have decided to engage in a legal battle,” he declared.
“We are poised to initiate legal action to provide a comprehensive account of the ground reality. Our goal is to bolster Karnataka’s position, and we remain hopeful of a favourable judgment from the Supreme Court,” he further elaborated.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear Tamil Nadu’s plea regarding the Cauvery water dispute on September 6, setting the stage for a significant legal showdown that will impact the lives and livelihoods of countless individuals in the region.
While the outcome remains uncertain, the unity and determination witnessed in Mandya underscore the seriousness of the situation and the unwavering resolve of those affected by the ongoing water-sharing dispute.