Farmers in Mysuru and Mandya took to the streets to vehemently oppose the CWRC's direction to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, citing critical water shortages for crops and drinking needs.

Key Takeaways

  • Massive protests organized in Mysuru and Mandya against CWRC water release orders.
  • Farmers demand the Karnataka government file a review petition against the directive.
  • Major reservoirs like KRS, Kabini, and Hemavati are reported to have limited storage.
  • Protesters blocked major highways, including the Mysuru-Ooty National Highway.

MYSURU/MANDYA: In a significant escalation of the long-standing water dispute, farmers across Mysuru and Mandya hit the streets on Wednesday. The demonstrations were a direct response to the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) directive to release water to Tamil Nadu, a move that local farming communities have labeled as a threat to their livelihoods.

Widespread Disruptions and Demonstrations

The protests saw intense activity at multiple locations. In Mandya, farmer outfits and Kannada organizations staged demonstrations at Sanjay Circle, successfully blocking the old Bengaluru-Mysuru highway. Meanwhile, in Mysuru, members of the State Sugarcane Growers’ Association staged a road blockade on the Mysuru-Ooty national highway, demanding that the State government take legal action to contest the order.

Protesters expressed their anger through symbolic acts, carrying empty pots and wearing black bands. Slogans such as “Kabini and Cauvery belong to us” echoed through the streets as traffic came to a standstill on several major routes.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the core of this conflict lies in the precarious water levels within the Cauvery basin. Protesters highlighted that the current storage in vital reservoirs—Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS), Kabini, Harangi, and Hemavati—is barely sufficient to meet the drinking water requirements of major urban centers like Bengaluru and Mysuru, as well as to sustain standing crops.

If the government proceeds with the release, farmers and various organisations in the Cauvery basin will teach the government a fitting lesson.

Kurubur Shanthakumar, a prominent leader of the protests, criticized the state leadership for failing to present the ground realities to the CWRC. He emphasized that with weather reports predicting below-normal rainfall for August, releasing water would be an unacceptable sacrifice of the people's interests.

Did You Know?: The term 'Urulu Seve' refers to a traditional form of protest march in Karnataka, often used by agrarian communities to demonstrate collective strength and social grievances.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main demand of the protesting farmers?
The farmers are demanding that the Karnataka government file a review petition against the CWRC's decision to release water to Tamil Nadu.

2. Why are the farmers concerned about the current water levels?
They argue that current reservoir levels are only sufficient for drinking water and protecting existing crops, especially given the forecast of low rainfall.