Karnataka CM urges protesters to drop Aug 13 bandh on Cauvery release, cites legal, practical reasons

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday (August 2, 2026) appealed to farmers, Kannada organisations and opposition leaders to withdraw the proposed August 13 bandh against the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu. The appeal came after an all-party meeting convened to discuss the direction from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to release 3,500 cusecs daily for 15 days.

Speaking to presspersons, Mr. Shivakumar said the government was carefully assessing the Cauvery situation, including a petition filed by the DMK in the Supreme Court. “Suggestion has been given to me to talk to protesters. I will speak to farmers, Kannada organisations and opposition leaders. Our ministers will also speak,” he said.

He argued that a bandh would not serve the cause. “When the government is standing with you and nature is also with you, bandh is of no use. It will affect our schools and business. Ultimately, it will not help us. We are committed to farmers’ welfare and bound to protect state interest,” the Chief Minister said.

Mr. Shivakumar noted that opposition leaders had pledged support and offered valuable suggestions. “We will take the suggestions that will be discussed with the legal team before moving forward,” he said. Anticipating regular CWMA meetings until January 2027, he stressed the need for a strong legal team to protect the state’s interests.

On the water situation, the Chief Minister said the inflow into four reservoirs in the Cauvery basin was close to 68,000 cusecs on Sunday, but indicated that rainfall in Kodagu and other catchment areas had receded. “We need to store about 40 tmc ft of water, including 4 tmc ft for evaporation, to meet the drinking water needs,” he said.

Referring to Tamil Nadu’s demand, Mr. Shivakumar said, “Tamil Nadu had asked 9 tmc ft, and CWMA has directed release of 3,500 cusecs daily. We are respecting the law of the country. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are one. I don’t speak language of others.” On the DMK’s Supreme Court petition, he said the government was closely watching and would rely on experience.

Explaining the release from Kabini reservoir, he said water was being released considering its safety, with about 24,000 cusecs flowing into the reservoir. Earlier, addressing the all-party meeting, he said, “The interests of state’s farmers and people are above politics. Karnataka’s priority is to resolve the river water sharing issue through dialogue and an amicable settlement.”

He reiterated that adequate water had been stored to ensure no shortage of drinking water, and natural flow was being released since Kabini reservoir had reached full capacity. “Water has already been released into canals, benefitting farmers across the region,” he said.

Mr. Shivakumar recalled that he had met Union Ministers C.R. Patil, Pralhad Joshi and V. Somanna, along with former Chief Ministers Basavaraj Bommai and Jagadish Shettar, ahead of the CWRC and CWMA meetings. “State’s concerns were raised before the Centre. During the meeting of Members of Parliament, leaders across party lines had set aside political differences and pledged to stand united,” he said.

The Chief Minister mentioned that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay had intended to hold talks, but the meeting was deferred and discussions would take place after the situation improved. The Cauvery water-sharing dispute remains a sensitive issue, and the state has a tradition of political parties setting aside differences to protect its interests, he added.