DMK MLAs stage black-shirt protest in Tamil Nadu Assembly over Cauvery and Mekedatu
Chennai, August 6: Legislators of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the principal Opposition party in Tamil Nadu, attended the presentation of the Agriculture Budget in the Assembly on Thursday wearing black shirts. The protest, led by party leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, was directed at the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government over its alleged failure to secure Cauvery water for the state and prevent Karnataka from constructing the Mekedatu dam.
The DMK has consistently opposed the Mekedatu project, arguing that it would further reduce Tamil Nadu's share of Cauvery water. The party has accused the state government of not doing enough to assert Tamil Nadu's rights in the long-standing inter-state river dispute. Thursday's protest was a continuation of that stance.
Agriculture Minister R. Vinoth presented the Budget, beginning his speech with praise for Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and the TVK government. Referring to the 'whistle', the party's election symbol, he said it was the first raga produced by air, adding that "its majesty will endure even if heard only through its sound."
The Minister's introductory remarks drew objections from DMK MLAs, who demanded that he proceed with the Budget speech. Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar intervened, instructing the Minister to confine himself to the Budget presentation.
Later, the Speaker greeted Dairy Development Minister Vijayalakshmi and Animal Husbandry Minister Kamali, who were present in the House. The Agriculture Budget is a key annual document outlining the government's spending and policy priorities for the sector.
The Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka has a long history, with multiple tribunal and Supreme Court rulings. Karnataka's proposal to build a dam at Mekedatu, downstream of the Cauvery, has been a particular point of contention. Tamil Nadu has maintained that such a project would jeopardise its water supply, while Karnataka has argued that it is necessary for drinking water and power generation. The issue remains unresolved at the inter-state level.
The DMK's protest on Thursday highlights the political sensitivity of the Cauvery issue in Tamil Nadu. The party has previously organised agitations and legal challenges to protect the state's water interests. The ruling TVK government, which came to power recently, has yet to announce a concrete strategy on the matter, according to the DMK's allegations.
The Assembly proceedings on Thursday were otherwise routine, with the Budget speech and departmental allocations taking up the session. The Speaker's intervention allowed the House to move past the initial disruption and continue with the day's business.
Such protests are not uncommon in Indian legislatures, where Opposition parties often use symbolic actions to draw attention to their demands. The black-shirt protest serves as a visual reminder of the DMK's commitment to the Cauvery cause, even as legal and political processes continue.
No official response from the TVK government on the protest was reported in the Assembly. The government is expected to address the Cauvery issue in its official statements or through subsequent discussions in the House.
