Tamil Nadu farmers, led by Farmers' Association leader Ayya Kannu, staged a symbolic protest in Tiruchirappalli by burying themselves in sand to highlight the worsening Cauvery water shortage affecting Kuruvai cultivation. The protesters demanded the immediate release of Cauvery water, reiterated their opposition to Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu project and urged the Tamil Nadu government to pursue legal remedies over the long-standing river water dispute.
TN Farmers Bury Themselves in Sand, Urge Action on Cauvery Water Sharing
Farmers in Tamil Nadu staged a symbolic protest, burying themselves in sand in Tiruchirappalli, demanding immediate release of Cauvery water and reiterating their opposition to Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project.
The Cauvery water dispute is back in the limelight as farmers in Tamil Nadu staged a rare protest on the banks of the Cauvery River in Tiruchirappalli demanding immediate release of water for irrigation. Demonstrators, led by Farmers' Association leader Ayya Kannu, buried themselves in sand to highlight the worsening water shortage that has hit the state's Kuruvai cultivation season.
The protest comes amid growing apprehensions among farmers that delayed water releases from Karnataka could severely hit agricultural production. Farmers in the delta region across Tamil Nadu were in dire need of Cauvery water, and the repeated demand for it was falling on deaf ears, protesters said.
Farmers Renew Opposition to Mekedatu Project Amid Water Shortage
During the demonstration, farmers accused the Karnataka government of releasing only excess water, and not giving Tamil Nadu its rightful share under the Cauvery water-sharing arrangement. Tamil Nadu is treated like a ‘drainage state’, where water is released only when Karnataka has excess flows, the protesters said.
The protesters also reaffirmed their opposition to Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, saying the dam would further reduce water availability downstream for Tamil Nadu. The project has been a major bone of contention in the long-standing river-sharing conflict between the two southern states.
Addressing the meeting, Ayya Kannu appealed to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay to approach the Supreme Court of India for compensation of Rs 1 lakh crore for the farming community of Tamil Nadu. The cultivators had been subjected to tremendous hardship due to the continued delay in water releases.
Kannu said the Supreme Court had directed Karnataka to release water of Cauvery every month. He alleged that Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was not ready to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu as demanded and said Karnataka had more than 80 TMC of water at present.
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Ayya Kannu Cites Rainfall and Dam Management Concerns
Kannu said heavy rain in Kerala had led to increased water inflows into Tamil Nadu in the recent weather conditions. The additional water could have been diverted to Bhavanisagar Dam, but adequate administrative measures were not taken to maximise its storage benefits, he alleged.
Karnataka later released 25,000 cusecs of water mainly to protect its own people and infrastructure, he added. “The Tamil Nadu government should look for legal options before the Supreme Court and seek huge compensation for the farmers who suffered for lack of water releases,” Kannu said again.
The protest reflected the larger discontent among the farming communities that depend on the timely supply of Cauvery waters during the Kuruvai season for cultivation. Farmers have warned that the delay in irrigation may hit crop production and livelihoods in the delta districts.
BJP Leader Vinoj P Selvam Criticises Tamil Nadu Government
Separately, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State Secretary Vinoj P Selvam criticised the Tamil Nadu government, alleging that it had failed to adequately protect the state's water rights and the interests of Delta farmers.
The TVK government did not take enough measures for the immediate release of Cauvery water from Karnataka, Selvam said, speaking to reporters. He argued that farmers urgently needed assurance that irrigation supplies would reach the delta region without further delay.
Selvam further alleged that the state government was having wrong priorities, and was giving more importance to ceremonial events rather than the problems of farmers who were facing water scarcity. He said priority should be given to long-term water security of Tamil Nadu.
The Cauvery water dispute remains one of India's longest-running inter-state river-sharing conflicts, with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu at its centre. The problem becomes acute in years of low rainfall and has been taken to the Supreme Court of India several times. Legal and political negotiations are expected to decide the future course of action in the Mekedatu project row. Sprouts News will continue to follow official responses and any further legal or administrative action on the Cauvery water sharing issue as developments unfold.
