Cauvery Row Boils Over: Karnataka Farmers Block Highway, Oppose Water Release to Tamil Nadu

The long-running Cauvery water dispute has once again triggered tensions in Karnataka, with protests intensifying across the Cauvery basin on Thursday as farmers and Kannada organisations opposed the release of water from the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) dam to Tamil Nadu.

The agitation was particularly intense in Mandya, where farmers staged a sit-in at Sanjay Circle, accusing the government of releasing large quantities of water despite concerns over Karnataka's own irrigation needs. Kannada Sena activists joined the protest and blocked the old Bengaluru-Mysuru highway, disrupting movement and adding pressure on the state government.

The protests follow the Cauvery Water Management Authority's decision to uphold a recommendation for Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water per day for 15 days from August 12.

Farmers questioned the decision, claiming that water levels at the KRS reservoir were already a matter of concern. They argued that Karnataka's farmers should not face uncertainty over irrigation while water continues to be released downstream.

Leading the protest, Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj appealed for a united movement across Karnataka, while Mandya MLA Ravi Kumar Gowda demanded that the release of water to Tamil Nadu be stopped.

Gowda had earlier raised the issue at a Cauvery Irrigation Advisory Committee meeting, warning that denying adequate water to Karnataka's farmers for their crops could create a serious situation. He also called for a legislative session, citing what he described as severe drought conditions in several parts of the state.

The dispute has also reached the legal arena, with Tamil Nadu approaching the Supreme Court seeking directions to ensure compliance with the CWMA's order.

Meanwhile, the Cauvery issue was reportedly raised during discussions involving southern chief ministers and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar also reiterated the state's demand for the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir, arguing that the project is crucial for managing Cauvery water more effectively.