Farmers, Pro-Kannada Outfits Allege Bengalureans Not Taking Part In Cauvery Protest

Farmers and pro-Kannada outfits in Karnataka have alleged that Bengaluru residents are not taking part in the Cauvery protest. They say that Bengalureans are benefiting the most from the Cauvery water, but they are not doing enough to support the farmers who are fighting for their water rights.

Kurubur Shanthakumar, president of the Karnataka Sugarcane Cultivators Association in Mandya, said that for one drop of water, Bengaluru citizens will have to suffer more. He also said that for the farmers, it is okay since they can manage it since they reside in rural areas, but what would Bengaluru citizens do? He urged Bengaluru citizens to participate in the protest, as reported by News18 Kannada.

Other farmers and pro-Kannada activists have also echoed Shanthakumar's sentiments. They say that Bengaluru citizens are taking the Cauvery water for granted and are not realising the seriousness of the situation. They warn that if the farmers do not get their fair share of water, it will lead to a food crisis in Karnataka.

The farmers and pro-Kannada activists have urged Bengaluru citizens to come out to the streets and join the protest. They say that the protest is not just about the Cauvery water, but it is also about the future of Karnataka.

Meanwhile, in the midst of the ongoing dispute over Cauvery water sharing with Tamil Nadu, Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, expressed the government's commitment to protecting the interests of the state's farmers. During a Cabinet meeting on Friday, it was decided to adhere to the court's order regarding the distribution of Cauvery water. The Deputy Chief Minister further urged the farmers to cancel the planned 'Bandh' on Saturday in the Cauvery water row to maintain law and order in the state.

In Mandya, various farmer organisations are currently protesting and have called for a 'Bandh' on September 23. This agitation follows the Supreme Court's refusal on Thursday to intervene in the order issued by the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), which directed Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, the BJP has questioned the Karnataka government's intentions in the Cauvery water dispute. Former Karnataka CM Bommai stated, "The state government is displaying a casual approach to the Cauvery water issue. If this neglect continues, it may lead to discontent among pontiffs, farmers, and the citizens of Bengaluru. The incumbent government has mishandled this issue from the beginning, causing significant problems for the entire state."