It is certainly difficult for the highest court of the land to give a judgment in a case in which there are reasonable (and unreasonable) claims and counter-claims by both sides, and a heavy baggage of history. Which is why the Supreme Court has suggested that the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka meet to find a political solution to the Cauvery dispute (“Why can’t the two CMs sit and sort it out?” Nov. 27).
But the difficulty lies in the political system, which thrives on vote bank politics. A better solution can emerge from a meeting of non-political groups of farmers and technical personnel from all the affected States. If it fails to come up with a solution, the Supreme Court ruling on the issue should be followed in both letter and spirit.
A. Victor Frank,Chennai
We have read in the Tamil classic Purananuru (written 2000 years ago) how Tamil poets used to help kings resolve disputes with other kings. They used to mediate between them or get them to meet in a common place, talk openly and settle the issue. The poets gave both moral and political solutions for the kings to consider. Avvaiyar was one person who succeeded in such efforts.
The government and people in India have the highest regard for judges and their judgments. The judiciary should give some practical solutions on the Cauvery issue for the two Chief Ministers to consider, so that they can proceed with a hope of settlement. Let us hope that the Cauvery will inspire the two leaders to arrive at an amicable settlement.
T.S. Gopalakrishnan,Chennai
