Bengaluru braces for Pro-Kannada protest amid Cauvery Water Dispute

Pro-Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj and other Pro-Kannada organizations have announced a protest and siege of the Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru to address the ongoing Cauvery water dispute. The protest is set to take place today, October 11.

The Karnatak Rakshina Vedike is leading the demonstration, demanding an immediate stoppage of the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Karnataka has been releasing 3000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu based on orders from the Cauvery Water Management Authority. These releases are scheduled to continue until October 15 when the Authority will convene again.

Prior protests and Police action

Pro-Kannada organizations staged a previous protest on Tuesday in Bengaluru Rural's Hoskote, Karnataka, over the same Cauvery water issue. During this demonstration, activists blocked the National Highway near the Hoskote toll, which connects Tamil Nadu to Andhra Pradesh. Some protesters were detained by the police for their actions.

The governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have been embroiled in a long-standing dispute over sharing the waters of the Cauvery River, which is vital for the livelihoods of the people in both states.

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The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee had ordered Karnataka to release 3000 cusecs of Cauvery water at Biligundlu from September 28 until October 15, 2023. Karnataka filed a review petition against this order in both the Supreme Court and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).

Karnataka's position on water release

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed disappointment with the recommendation of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee, stating that the state lacks the water supply capacity to meet the ordered release.

The Cauvery water-sharing issue has led to political upheaval in Karnataka. Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai accused the state government of not having the will to protect farmers' interests. Karnataka cited severe drought conditions in parts of the state as the reason for refusing to supply water to Tamil Nadu.

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Tamil Nadu has accused Karnataka of dishonesty regarding the water supply and passed a resolution in the Assembly calling upon the Centre to intervene and ensure Karnataka's continued compliance with CWMA guidelines for Cauvery water release. The resolution was proposed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and passed unanimously.