Karnataka Asks Vijay to Defer Cauvery Visit
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has asked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to postpone his planned Bengaluru visit amid growing protests over the latest Cauvery water-release order.
Vijay’s Karnataka Visit May Be Postponed
Vijay was scheduled to visit Bengaluru on August 3 after the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Office requested a meeting to discuss the Cauvery dispute and other inter-state issues.
Shivakumar said the prevailing atmosphere was unsuitable for talks and appealed to Vijay to defer the visit until conditions became “cool, calm and cordial.” He said Karnataka wanted constructive discussions that could benefit both states without creating further bitterness.
The Karnataka government had previously agreed to host the meeting, which was expected to cover Tamil Nadu’s demand for its allocated share of Cauvery water and its opposition to the proposed Mekedatu reservoir.
Cauvery Water Order Triggers Protests
The appeal followed an order directing Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from July 29. The direction rejected Karnataka’s objection to the recommended release.
The decision triggered protests across Karnataka, where pro-Kannada organisations have announced a statewide bandh on August 13. Some groups also warned of further demonstrations if Vijay visited Bengaluru to press Tamil Nadu’s demand.
The dispute has affected the film industry, with reports of disrupted screenings and damaged posters of Vijay’s recently released film, Jana Nayagan.
Karnataka Plans All-Party Cauvery Meeting
Shivakumar urged organisations to reconsider the bandh, arguing that it would inconvenience the public without resolving the water dispute.
The Karnataka government plans to convene an all-party meeting, seek legal advice and consult stakeholders before deciding its next course of action.
Shivakumar also defended the Mekedatu project, describing it as a balancing reservoir that would regulate river flows and generate hydropower without using additional water.
