The Cauvery water issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has been simmering for long. The agitation in both the States has become emotional. What is beyond question though is that water is a natural resource. No river in the country belongs to a State. The Ganga flows from Gangotri in India to Bangladesh and then into the sea. Many States share the river water.
The Cauvery issue is encouraged and nurtured by politicians and various organisations. It is amusing to know that every organisation, including the film fraternity, gets involved in both the States arousing the sentiments further. The two States need to discuss the issue in a more pragmatic way and devise a water-sharing mechanism.
Manjula Chivukula,
Bangalore
The Cauvery dispute is assuming a serious proportion in the South not because it is a livelihood issue of the farmers of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka but because it is a livelihood issue of politicians in both the States. The issue can be resolved by involving the farmers of the two States.
A.G. Rajmohan,
Anantapur
It is only in India that a Chief Minister can refuse to follow the Supreme Court’s orders and continue as Chief Minister. It is immaterial for Karnataka whether it is the order of the monitoring committee, the CRA, the Prime Minister or the Supreme Court — it just refuses to follow it. What a dangerous trend! It is certainly time to curb the unlawful action of the State and ensure that it is governed in accordance with the constitutional provisions.
G. Kannapiran,
Chennai
I was rather amused on reading a letter that spoke of historical injustice in the Cauvery and Periyar irrigation systems. I would welcome the reader to revisit history in not only India but the whole world and discover the rights of a lower riparian State. The lower riparian State is not a drainage system to accommodate the flood waters of the upper riparian State. Karnataka is violating the highest court’s order with impunity. It should behave more responsibly.
M. Meenakshisundaram,
Tiruchi
