Cauvery water row: Shivakumar urges Karnataka farmers to drop Aug 13 protest; Vijay defers visit

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday (August 2) appealed to farmers’ outfits to withdraw the bandh on August 13 while assuring them that his government was committed to protecting the interests of the state's farmers and people on the Cauvery issue.

Shivakumar said Karnataka was assessing the situation, including the DMK’s petition in the Supreme Court.

Pro-Kannada organisations have called for a Karnataka Bandh on August 13 against the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA)’s order on Thursday, upholding the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's recommendation to release 3,500 cusecs of water for 15 days.

No need to protest: Shivakumar

Shivakumar said there was no need for protests as rainfall had improved the situation and all political parties had extended support and such a bandh would not benefit anyone.

Addressing a press conference after an all-party meeting on the Cauvery issue, the chief minister said the government would continue to take decisions within the legal framework, prioritise drinking water needs, consult legal and agricultural experts, and closely monitor the evolving water situation before taking any further steps.

"Our government remains fully committed to protecting the interests of Karnataka's farmers on the Cauvery issue," he said.

“A 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. 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,” The Hindu quoted him as saying.

Also read: ‘Once Kabini reservoir is full, water has to be released’: DK Shivakumar on Cauvery row

Vijay defers visit

Later in the day, Shivakumar said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had agreed to postpone his Cauvery-related visit to Bengaluru following a request from the Karnataka government. Shivakumar described the gesture as one that would help maintain a cordial atmosphere between the two states.

Shivakumar, who was supposed to hold discussions with Vijay over the inter-state dispute on Monday, had earlier appealed to Vijay to defer his visit so as to hold talks in a more conducive atmosphere. He said he had requested Vijay to defer the visit as emotions were running high in Karnataka.

“I have great respect for him. Though he may be new to politics, he is a courageous leader. I congratulated him on his bold decision. Whatever our political differences may be, he wanted to come to Karnataka. I only requested that we meet in a better and more cordial atmosphere because I don’t want anyone shouting against my friends. We should respect each other. We have to live together and work together. Ultimately, India is one,” Shivakumar told reporters after chairing the all-party meeting.

His appeal had come amid widespread protests across Karnataka, particularly in Mandya, where demonstrators tore posters of Vijay’s recently released film Jana Nayagan and forced theatres at some places to halt its screening.

All-party meeting

Leaders across party lines including former chief minister Siddaramiah, Veerappa Moily, BS Yediyurappa, HD Kumaraswamy, Sadananda Gowda, and Basavaraj Bommai attended the all-party meeting.

Stating that he too hailed from the Cauvery basin and was a farmer's son, Shivakumar said there should be no doubt among the state's 7.5 crore people about the government's commitment to safeguarding Karnataka's interests.

Expecting CWMA meetings till January 2027, he said the state needs to be prepared with a legal team to safeguard its interests.

‘Kabini reservoir completely full’

Shivakumar reiterated his earlier stand that water has to be released once Kabini reservoir is full.

“Water is being released considering the safety of the reservoir and about 24,000 cusecs of flowing into the reservoir,” he said.

He had made the same statement in an earlier post on X.

“We have stored the required quantity of water so that there is no problem for drinking water in the state. Kabini reservoir is completely full, and since it is not possible to store the additional inflow, the natural flow is continuing,” he said.

Also read: Cauvery row flares up: Shivakumar urges Vijay to defer Bengaluru visit; Karnataka bandh on Aug 13

‘Interests of farmers more important’

In his X post, uploaded after the meeting, the Karnataka chief minister said that the interests of Karnataka’s farmers and people are more important than politics. “The Cauvery dispute is not new to us, nor is it new to you. All of us have grown up with this issue. Our state has a proud tradition of all political parties setting aside politics and standing united for the state whenever the state’s interests are at stake.”

Thanking all the leaders and MPs who set aside party differences and raised their voice for the state at the Centre, Shivakumar said resolving the issue amicably is his government’s priority.

Feud over water

Shivakumar said even before the meetings of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC), and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) happened, he had met Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil and Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and V Somanna, and former chief ministers Bommai and Jagadish Shettar, and explained the state’s position to them.

Also read: Cauvery row: Pro-Kannada outfits announce Karnataka bandh on Aug 13, warn TN CM Vijay

The longstanding Cauvery water-sharing issue saw a new episode of disagreements after Karnataka expressed its inability to release the ordered quantity of water to Tamil Nadu in view of a deficient southwest monsoon. The CWRC on July 28 ordered Karnataka to ensure a flow of 3,500 cusecs of water per day to Tamil Nadu for a period of 15 day starting July 29. The order was upheld by the higher body CWMA despite protests by Karnataka farmers and the state government.

“We have stored the required quantity of water so that there is no problem for drinking water in the state. Kabini reservoir is completely full, and since it is not possible to store the additional inflow, the natural flow is continuing,” he said.

Also read: Cauvery row flares up: Shivakumar urges Vijay to defer Bengaluru visit; Karnataka bandh on Aug 13

“Everyone is fully aware of the Cauvery water issue. Ignoring the severe drought situation in the state, Tamil Nadu had requested the release of 9.9 TMC of water. The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) had also given a directive in this regard. But keeping the state’s interests in mind, we have already filed an appeal against it,” he wrote on X.

‘Good rainfall in Kodagu, dams overflowing’

The chief minister assured people that due to good rainfall in the Kodagu region, the state already has 57 TMC of water available and the inflow has increased.

“There is an order to release 3500 cusecs of Cauvery water daily, and because the inflow has already increased, the dams are full, and water is overflowing. It is not possible to hold back the water,” he said.

Also read: Cauvery row boils over: TN rushes to SC; Karnataka to hold all-party meet

He said along with securing the state’s drinking water needs, the government has taken steps keeping the interests of farmers in mind as well.

“Water has already been released into the KRS and Kabini canals to protect the crops sown by farmers, which has benefited them,” he added.