Protests in Tamil Nadu over Karnataka's refusal to release Cauvery waters.
Thousands of farmers from all over Tamil Nadu came out on the streets today to demand that Karnataka release more water from its dams as agreed upon in the water sharing agreement between the two neighbors. Karnataka has refused to release its share of Cauvery river water citing poor monsoon and inadequate drinking water reserves.
Protesting farmers, supported by various political parties including the DMK, took to blocking trains and buses in an attempt at pressuring the Jayalalithaa government to do more in securing water from Karnataka. At various places the protests turned violent, and the police had to detain hundreds of farmers all over the state.
Worst affected by Karnataka's decision to not release more water, are the samba cultivators in the Cauvery delta. Traditional sowing season lasts between May and July every year. This year, because of lack of water, farmers are staring at losses running into crores. In the districts of Thanjavur, Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur shops remained shut in protest.
The Tamil Nadu government has taken its case to the Supreme Court asking for compensation for crop failure. The case is likely to come up for hearing next week.
"Chief Minister Amma is doing everything legally possible. She only got the favorable order from Supreme Court," said AIADMK spokesperson CR Saraswathi.
Karnataka however has refused to budge on the issue of releasing more water.
"We are suffering deficit monsoon, we can't release more water," said TB Jayachandra, Karnataka's law minister.
In 2007 the Cauvery Tribunal had decided on a water sharing formula for both deficit and surplus rainfall years. But the crisis gets intensified whenever there is deficit rainfall.
"People in Karnataka understand that waters have to be shared. But political parties, in a bid to retain or capture power, politicize the issue. The Prime Minister, who is in-charge of inter-state water dispute can still order release of waters," said Sathya Narayana, a farmer from Tiruvarur.
The NDA government at the Centre, like the previous UPA government, has not constituted the independent Cauvery Management Board to decide on water release as directed by the Supreme Court. Some allege this is because of vested political interests.
"Parties have vested political interests and they are not concerned about the fate of the people. In Karnataka, if they release water, they are worried about the political fallout," said N Puroshottaman, a farmer in Tamil Nadu.