Cauvery Water Row: As Protest Intensifies In Parts Of Bengaluru, Several Areas On High Alert

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) began protests in Bengaluru on Saturday over the Cauvery water row. Protesters gathered at Mysore Bank Circle and Malleshwaram and raised slogans like 'Cauvery Nammadu' (Cauvery is ours). They also demanded that the Karnataka government take steps to protect the state's interests in the Cauvery water dispute.

On the other hand, the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), a pro-Kannada organisation, is also protesting in Electronic City against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, according to TV9 report. KRV Narayana Gowda faction workers expressed their anger by burning the effigy of the Tamil Nadu government and chanting slogans against the state and central governments.

The protests caused traffic disruptions in the areas where they were held. Police personnel were deployed in large numbers to maintain law and order.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru's Police Commissioner, B Dayananda, has issued a directive to all Deputy Commissioners of Police in the city, urging them to remain vigilant and avert any potential untoward incidents. Additionally, the Commissioner has instructed Deputy Commissioners of Police to enhance security measures in areas with significant Tamilian populations.

In response to the Supreme Court's recent ruling, which has stirred discontent, various organisations have called for protests in Bengaluru. As a precautionary measure, the Police Commissioner has mandated that Deputy Commissioners of Police implement requisite measures to ensure the preservation of law and order.

Earlier, Former Chief Minister and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai cautioned that if the State Government neglects Karnataka's interests in the Cauvery water dispute, it could incite rebellion from pontiffs, farmers, and the citizens of Bengaluru.

Speaking to reporters following a meeting with party office-bearers from the Cauvery basin districts regarding the next steps in the Cauvery issue, Bommai criticised the government for a series of mistakes, noting that the state had to release 7.5 tmcft of water to Tamil Nadu due to inadequate representation in the Supreme Court.

Furthermore, he highlighted that the government has not been transparent about its plans for Karnataka, and the BJP intends to respond earnestly by organizing protests in the Cauvery basin districts. He accused the government of engaging in political maneuvers to mask its shortcomings and criticized the Congress leaders for not engaging in discussions with Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, instead of shifting the blame to the Central government.

Bommai emphasized that the government must urgently file an interim application before the Supreme Court, addressing the need for drinking water in Bengaluru and the responsible use of additional water by Tamil Nadu.

Mandya Bandh: Farmers Intensify Protest Over Cauvery Row

Farmer organisations in Mandya and Maddur district are staging protests and have announced a 'Bandh' today. This action follows the Supreme Court's decision on Thursday not to intervene in the directive from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to Karnataka, mandating the release of 5,000 cusecs of water per day for 15 days to Tamil Nadu.

The Cauvery water dispute is a long-standing one between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Both states claim their rights over the Cauvery river water. The Supreme Court has issued orders from time to time on the sharing of water between the two states.

The Tamil Nadu government has accused Karnataka of violating the Supreme Court's order and has demanded that the court take action against the state.

The Karnataka government has defended its position, saying that it does not have enough water to share with Tamil Nadu.