Karnataka CM urges withdrawal of bandh call over Cauvery row

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar urged pro-Kannada organisations to withdraw the proposed August 13 bandh over the Cauvery water dispute, assuring that the government would protect farmers' interests, prioritise drinking water and take decisions within the legal framework

Bengaluru: Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday asserted that his government was committed to protecting the interests of the state’s farmers and people on the Cauvery issue, while appealing to organisations to withdraw the proposed Karnataka bandh.

Pro-Kannada organisations have given a call for Karnataka Bandh on August 13 against the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s order on Thursday upholding the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s recommendation of releasing 3,500 cusecs of water for 15 days.

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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 CM 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. 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.