Pro-Kannada organisation condemns recommendation of CWRC to release water to Tamil Nadu

Hundreds of activists of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, a pro-Kannada organisation, have strongly condemned the recommendation made by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu from Karnataka every day and urged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to interfere in the matter immediately and explain the inability to follow recommendation.

The activists led by Sharanu Gadduge, Uttar Karnataka president of the organisation, staged a protest at Subhashchandra Chowk in Yadgir city on Thursday. They also blocked the road for a while by forming a human chain to show solidarity against the CWRC’s recommendation.

Mr. Gadduge said that the committee’s recommendation is against the wishes of the Kannadigas. The State is reeling from severe drought and people from the Kaveri basin are struggling even for drinking water owing to shortage in water storage in the KRS dam.

“When our own people are suffering shortage of water for crops and human consumption, how could the committee recommend the State to release water to Tamil Nadu? Mr. Gadduge questioned and registered his strong opposition by shouting against the committee, calling it anti-Kannadiga sentiments.

Demanding the government to interference in the matter immediately, he said that the government should prioritise the issue and protect the interest of the people of Karnataka.

“There is no compromise when it comes to the matter of land, water and language (Nela, Jala, haagu Bhaashe), the pro-Kannada organisations are ready to take up the matter to the next level and protect the State and interest of its people,” Mr. Gadduge warned.

The police diverted the vehicles till protect was called off. The protesters sent a memorandum to the authorities.