Karnataka CM Shivakumar urges Cauvery protesters to call off agitation as Kabini inflows surge

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday appealed to pro-Kannada organisations to withdraw their proposed protests against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, saying Karnataka was legally bound to comply with the water-sharing order and that overflowing reservoirs could not hold back excess inflows.

The appeal comes amid rising tensions in Karnataka after the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) upheld the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's (CWRC) directive asking the state to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from July 29. Kannada organisations have called for a statewide bandh on August 13, while the CM has convened an all-party meeting on Sunday to decide the state's next course of action.

The CM said officials were monitoring reservoir levels on an hourly basis and that inflows into the Kabini reservoir had touched 40,000 cusecs.


"When Kabini becomes full, water has to be released. It is not possible to hold it back. I humbly appeal to those planning protests to reconsider. People should not go near the reservoir or attempt to block the release of water, as it is dangerous," he told reporters at Mysuru airport.

The CM said every protest in a democracy deserved respect, but there was no need for an agitation at a time when the matter was being addressed through legal and constitutional mechanisms.

"There should be no disruption to the legal process or inconvenience to the public. We are all citizens of the same country, including those in TN," he said.

The CM said successive governments led by S Bangarappa, SM Krishna, HD Deve Gowda and Siddaramaiah had taken decisions on Cauvery based on the prevailing circumstances. Karnataka, he said, was bound by the Supreme Court-mandated annual release of 177 tmc ft to TN while also protecting the interests of its farmers.

"We have to respect the court's order and, at the same time, safeguard our farmers. Our government is committed to doing both," he said.

The CM said Karnataka's case had been strongly argued before the CWMA with the support of Union ministers Pralhad Joshi, V Somanna and other leaders, but the state's request for relief had been rejected despite lower releases this year compared with previous distress years.

Accusing the BJP of politicising the issue, the CM said leaders across party lines were nevertheless working to protect Karnataka's interests before the Centre.

On the proposed visit of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to Bengaluru, the CM reiterated that he had requested a postponement as the current atmosphere was not conducive for discussions.

"If the issue can be resolved through dialogue, that is the best course. TN should get its rightful share and Karnataka should get the rights guaranteed to it under the law. A fresh date for the meeting will be decided when the situation improves," he said.

The CM also said Karnataka had secured an important legal victory in the Supreme Court on the Mekedatu project and dismissed reports that the project's detailed project report had been rejected. He said the proposed balancing reservoir would benefit both states while addressing Karnataka's drinking water requirements and generating hydropower.

Asked whether water would continue to be released to TN, the CM said the government would take a final decision only after the all-party meeting and consultations with legal experts on Sunday.