Karnataka Farmers Protest Against Release of Cauvery Water to Tamil Nadu

Farmers in Nanjangud and T. Narasipura in Mysuru district staged protests on July 31 against the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's (CWRC) directive to release water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu. The protesters cited poor storage in reservoirs and inadequate rainfall as grounds for opposing the release.

In Nanjangud, farmers led by the State Sugarcane Growers' Association formed a human chain and briefly blocked the Mysuru–Ooty highway near the BDO Office. The protesters demanded that Karnataka not release water to Tamil Nadu under any circumstance, asserting that the state was already facing drought-like conditions and that farmers were in distress.

They also warned that the agitation would be intensified to safeguard the interests of Karnataka and its farmers. The demonstration caused a temporary disruption of traffic on the highway before the farmers dispersed.

In T. Narasipura, farmers led by Guruswamy, president of the T. Narasipura Taluk Sugarcane Growers' Association, staged a protest by entering the Cauvery river. They raised slogans urging the state government not to release water, stating that farmers across the Cauvery basin were already reeling under severe water scarcity due to poor rainfall.

The CWRC, functioning under the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, is tasked with implementing the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, as modified by the Supreme Court in 2018. The committee assesses water availability in reservoirs across the basin and issues directives for releases to states according to the prescribed sharing formula.

The Cauvery river is a lifeline for Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The tribunal's award, which has been the subject of decades-old disputes, seeks to balance the competing needs of the basin states. However, the implementation often triggers friction, particularly in Karnataka, where farmers depend heavily on the river for irrigation.

Farmers in the Cauvery basin in Karnataka argue that mandatory releases to Tamil Nadu during deficient monsoon years leave insufficient water for their own crops. This year, the southwest monsoon has been erratic, with several districts in the catchment area receiving below-normal rainfall. As a result, reservoir levels are reported to be lower than expected, heightening concerns among farming communities.

The demonstrations reflect the persistent tension over water sharing. In previous years, similar protests have erupted in the region when CWRC directives mandated releases during times of scarcity. The issue has also seen legal and political interventions, with state governments pressing their cases before the Supreme Court.

The protesters in both locations have called on the Karnataka government to take a firm stand against the release. They have warned of intensified agitations if their demand is not met. While no official response has been issued by the state government, the matter is likely to be taken up at higher levels given the political sensitivity of the Cauvery dispute.

Both protests ended peacefully, with no reports of violence or arrests. Local authorities monitored the events to maintain order. The situation remains tense as farmers await a decision on whether the release will proceed as directed by the CWRC.