The so called ethnic issue between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka can be amicably solved if both the states come out in open and have a fruitful dialogue as in the days of MGR and Hegde. This reminds us of 1991 protests and how the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu MG Ramachandran and his Karnataka counterpart Ramakrishna Hegde could solve the issue in a better way. Now trust is lost and even Supreme Court does not have an answer to the perennial problem. The orders of the highest court is being ignored by Karnataka government.
It is notable that when Tamil Nadu had witnessed floods due to torrential rains, Karnataka residents had lent a helping hand to come out of distress like situation. The same yardstick can be applied to ease out the tension between both states. Why can’t both states come out of common agenda and solve the ticklish issue without the interference of the apex court? SC had issued several orders for changing the quantum of Cauvery water, a better council should prevail to meet the demands of Tamil Nadu. It all started with 15000 cusecs of Cauvery water for 10 days daily came down to 3000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu between 21st September and 30th September 2016. But the mayhem prevails and we saw number of lorries and buses were torched making the matter worse. On September 5, the Supreme Court had asked Karnataka to release15,000 cusecs of water from the Cauvery river to Tamil Nadu, but it later reduced the quantity to 12,000 cusecs. The court verdict had led to widespread protests carried out by farmers in Karnataka, who argued that the state needed the water more that its neighbour.Thus the cold war for river water flowing through two or more states is causing concern. Karnataka CM is just a puppet in the hands of both politicians and anti-social elements. Atrocities on TN properties caused an everlasting ill feelings between the two states. Anti social elements, who caused ruckus burning buses were set free making it a tit for tat issue. No love is lost between both states even now. Both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu should work for a common solution and must not escalate the problem further. Vandalising properties won’t resolve the Cauvery water issue.
The situation may ease out in coming months if both States face a flood like situation in the months commencing from October with the influence of the northeast monsoon and the excess flow of water into the reservoir area may compel Karnataka to release water from Cauvery without even asking by the Tamil Nadu Government to avoid a flood like situation in the state. Indian Government failed to nationalise the rivers in the past which could have eased out the fight for water in a most meticulous way avoiding all the troubles. In the heat of the moment we just face Kolaveri di and nothing else. Karnataka had suffered a loss of Rs 25,000 crore and people should understand that peace can’t be restored between both states by observing bandhs, protests and dharnas. Water is essential for Samba crops to grow and the Karnataka State administration should cooperate with Tamil Nadu and release water.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
