BJP leaders detained at KRS protest against Cauvery water release; demand firm stand

Mandya: Several senior BJP leaders, including state president B.Y. Vijayendra and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok, were taken into preventive custody on Friday during a protest near the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) reservoir. The demonstration was organised against the state government's handling of the Cauvery water dispute, which the party claims has failed to protect the interests of Karnataka's farmers.

The protesters had gathered outside the main entrance of the reservoir and attempted to march towards it. Police intervened and detained them under preventive provisions, releasing them later in the day. In anticipation of the protest, the Mandya district police had deployed over 1,500 personnel and suspended public entry to the Brindavan Gardens as a precautionary measure.

Among those present were former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, former MP Sumalatha Ambareesh, MLAs T.S. Srivatsa and Krishnaraja, and MLCs C.T. Ravi and Raghu Kautilya, among others. The leaders addressed BJP workers from Mysuru and Mandya districts, who held placards and raised slogans against the Congress government.

In his address, Mr. Yediyurappa challenged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to take a strong stance on the Cauvery issue. He said, “If the Chief Minister is truly committed to the welfare of Karnataka's farmers, he should declare that he is prepared to resign if necessary, but will not release even a drop of water to Tamil Nadu.” He also criticised the state government for not approaching the Supreme Court in time, which he said could have averted the current situation.

The protest comes in the backdrop of the Cauvery Water Management Authority's (CWMA) direction to Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days. Mr. Yediyurappa alleged that Congress leaders were more focused on internal matters, such as cabinet expansion, while the state's reservoirs and canals were drying up. He also suggested that Chief Minister Shivakumar should bring Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay to the KRS reservoir to witness the prevailing conditions.

Mr. Ashok, speaking at the gathering, accused the state government of failing to effectively pursue legal remedies in the Cauvery dispute. Mr. Narayanaswamy said the government had not presented the actual ground situation before the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC), which led to the directive to release water.

The Cauvery water sharing issue has long been a contentious matter between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with multiple court orders and committee directives governing the release of water. Farmers across the region have been facing distress due to inadequate rainfall and reservoir levels. The protest highlights the political sensitivity of the dispute, especially during a water-stressed year.

Authorities said the situation remained peaceful, and no untoward incidents were reported. The detainees were released after the demonstration concluded, and normalcy was restored near the reservoir.