Bangalore Bandh & Cauvery Water Dispute
Bangalore Bandh: Several organizations in Bangalore have called for a bandh in protest against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. It exacerbates the longstanding dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The directive from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) has instructed Karnataka to extend the release of 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu. This is for an additional 15 days. This has led to intensified protests and a plea for intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The regular bustle of Bengaluru is absent as most parts of the city remains closed due to the ongoing #BengaluruBandh on Tuesday. Scene from the business areas of Chickpet in city.
— Petlee Peter (@petleepeter) September 26, 2023
📸 Sunil Prasad for @TOIBengaluru @timesofindia #Bangalore #Bandh #CauveryWaterRow #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/4onPRzHXMu
The CWMA Order
The CWMA’s directive mandated Karnataka to maintain the discharge of 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for an additional 15 days. However, officials in Karnataka have expressed their inability to comply with this order due to insufficient water supply.
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The Karnataka-Tamil Nadu dispute over the allocation of Cauvery River water dates back to the British colonial period. A compromise was reached in 1924, allowing Mysore to construct a dam for water storage. However, this agreement became a source of ongoing contention post-independence, leading to multiple appeals to the Supreme Court.
Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT)
In 1990, the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) was established to address water disputes among Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Puducherry. The CWDT directed Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu, further fueling the dispute.
Karnataka officials have asserted that there is a lack of extra water available for release. This has led to calls for unity in protecting the state’s interests.
Supreme Court’s Decision
The Supreme Court declined to intervene in the CWMA’s directive to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu. The court emphasized the importance of assessing factors like drought conditions and rainfall before issuing directives. Consequently, the Supreme Court upheld its decision not to intervene in the matter.
Leader’s Statements
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mediate in the dispute. Prominent Congress leaders in Karnataka emphasized the critical situation and the need for justice.
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda suggested that negotiations, rather than legal means, could offer a resolution to the ongoing dispute.
Kannada actors Darshan Thoogudeepa and Kichcha Sudeep expressed their concerns, emphasizing the importance of finding a solution to the issue.
The Bangalore bandh and the Cauvery water-sharing dispute continue to strain relations between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. With protests intensifying and legal avenues exhausted, a resolution to this decades-long conflict remains elusive. The need for constructive dialogue and negotiations is evident as both states grapple with the water-sharing dilemma.
