Tamil Nadu Government to Approach Supreme Court for Cauvery Water Rights
Tamil Nadu's Legal Action on Cauvery Water Dispute
On Friday, R. Nirmal Kumar, the Law Minister of Tamil Nadu, announced that the state government intends to seek intervention from the Supreme Court to secure its rightful share of Cauvery water. Meanwhile, Ambumani Ramadoss, the president of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), urged Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to cancel his planned visit to Karnataka on August 3. Nirmal Kumar dismissed Karnataka's stance on the inter-state river dispute, stating, "We must legally obtain the necessary water through the Supreme Court."
He emphasized that the Tamil Nadu government is prepared to take all necessary legal measures to safeguard the livelihoods of its farmers.
The minister pointed out that despite clear directives from the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee to release a specified amount of water, Karnataka has consistently refused to comply. He accused the neighboring state of politicizing the issue of water supply to Tamil Nadu for decades. Kumar remarked, "Karnataka's politics has revolved around the Cauvery issue for years."
He noted that for the past 30, 40, or even 100 years, Karnataka's political stance has been to withhold water.
Kumar clarified that the Tamil Nadu government views this dispute not merely as a political issue but as a lifeline for its farmers. He mentioned that Chief Minister Vijay is consulting with legal experts, experienced officials, and various stakeholders regarding the state's future strategy. Kumar indicated that an announcement regarding the state's comprehensive legal strategy and final decisions is expected within a week.
He revealed that the government is considering four options for a permanent solution: re-approaching the Supreme Court, requesting the formation of a new water dispute tribunal, engaging in direct talks between the two states, and pressuring the central government to ensure compliance with orders.
Kumar also criticized recent comments made by Union Minister of State for Water Resources, Raj Bhushan Choudhary, which sparked controversy in Tamil Nadu. Choudhary stated in Parliament that the Supreme Court's final ruling in February 2018 did not require Karnataka to seek approval from downstream states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry before constructing structures like the Mekedatu dam.
Kumar argued that the minister's remarks indicate a misunderstanding of the Supreme Court's final decision, which he claimed stipulates that no water can be diverted without the consent of the downstream states. In the meantime, PMK president Ambumani Ramadoss reiterated his call for Chief Minister Vijay to cancel the upcoming Karnataka visit.
Ramadoss stated that engaging with a state that openly disregards the Cauvery Water Management Authority's orders could undermine Tamil Nadu's significant rights. He accused the Karnataka government of fostering local protests instead of fulfilling its legal obligations and adopting a confrontational approach towards Tamil Nadu. He remarked, "Karnataka has clearly refused to comply with the orders and has decided to challenge them."
Despite this, Ramadoss expressed that Chief Minister Vijay's insistence on visiting Karnataka to negotiate with Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar would not be beneficial for Tamil Nadu. He noted that Kannada nationalist groups have threatened to call for a shutdown in districts along the Cauvery river, while the Karnataka Chief Minister has convened an all-party meeting on August 2 to challenge the order to release water.