The state observed a ‘bandh’ on Friday.
As Karnataka is boiling over the Supreme Court order directing the state to release 15000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, the state chief minister Siddaramaiah sought the help of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the issue.
In a two-page letter to the prime minister, Siddaramaiah requested Modi to convene a meeting with Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa to find a solution to the crisis.
“I earnestly request you not only as Prime Minister but as the head of the federal system, to call a meeting of the chief ministers of the states to resolve the impasse,†Siddaramaiah wrote in the letter.
The chief minister’s decision to write a letter to the prime minister came at a time when Karnataka is witnessing protests spreading to different parts with gaining support from several groups and organizations.
Siddaramaiah said in the letter that Bengaluru, the state capital, and farmers of Cauvery river basin would be badly hit if the water from the river is released to Tamil Nadu.
“The daily release of 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water at the inter-state border, Biligundulu, which, if continued, would completely deprive the drinking water not only to the residents of Bengaluru city but also to the farmers of the Cauvery basin,” he wrote.
Though the state is expecting water crisis if the apex court order is being implemented, Siddaramaiah ensured that the state would obey the order.
“However, as a constitutional chief executive of the state, I have taken it upon myself to obey the orders of the SC and the water is being released as per the order, which has created more unrest and disquiet in the state,” said the CM.
In an interview to India Today, the chief minister made it clear that the state has planned to manage the situation after releasing the specified quantity of water to Tamil Nadu.
The state is going to file a modification plea in front of the Supreme Court and will approach the Cauvery Supervisory Committee to find a solution.
“We are going to file a modification plea in front of the Supreme Court. We will also approach the Cauvery Supervisory Committee. We will see what decision they will take. In September and October, we are expecting some rains and some inflow to the reservoirs and so with this water and with the water available in the reservoirs we will manage and we have planned it,†the chief minister told India Today.
In the letter addressed to Modi, Siddaramaiah has hinted the comfortable position of Tamil Nadu in terms of the water available. Tamil Nadu is in a better position if the water level at Mettur Dam and north-eastern rainfall it received.
While the government is moving ahead with the due process of law, protestors across the state took to the streets and roads to show their anger over the issue.
Karnataka observed a state-wide ‘bandh’ (strike) on Friday, the second one in a time period of one week. The state capital Bengaluru came to a standstill as most of the IT companies and other firms declared a holiday to show support to the protests.
Public transport including train, bus, and metro were suspended and auto-rickshaw and cab operators also joined the protest. Protests turned violent in Mysuru and Ballari.
Thousands of travelers were stranded at Kempe Gowda International Airport after cab and bus service were suspended due to the ‘bandh.’ Expressing their solidarity with the state, Kannada film industry joined the protest by suspending all film shoots and related activity on Friday.
Educational institutions remained closed and government offices saw low attendance. In a bizarre incident, some protesters performed the post-death ceremony of Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa.
The state government deployed 25000 policemen in Bengaluru and 10000 in different parts of the state.
If the state government does not find an amicable solution to the crisis, it will have a serious impact on the IT industry and economy of the state as well as the country.