In North Karnataka, Farmers’ Protests for Mahadayi Water Crosses 1000 Days

On April 10, marking the 1000th day of their ongoing protests, more than 150 farmers took out a rally in Nargund taluk, Gadag district, demanding the government to immediately resolve the Mahadayi River water dispute. The farmers’ groups claim that the acute drinking water problem in the districts – Dharwad, Belagavi, Bagalkot and Gadag of North Karnataka will be resolved with the construction of Kalasa-Banduri Nala Project.

Since July 16, 2015, every day, farmers reach the makeshift stage in Nargund, which has become the epicentre of Mahadayi protests, to demonstrate their resentment in unique ways. Farmers and activists, under the banner of Raita Sena, have been leading the struggle and have gained traction from across the state.

Ahead of May 12 assembly polls, the farmers’ group have decided not to entertain the politicians who are contesting in the elections with their protest. They want to keep their struggle independent from the influence of political parties. The farmers are demonstrating their resentment against both the state and central governments for not settling the issue, which has been pending for over decades now.

Raita Sena Convener Fakirappa Jogannavar told media that the demand for Kalasa-Banduri Nala project has been an apolitical one and urged the farmers in the region to not to fall for the false promises of the political leaders during the election campaign.

Their main demand has been the release of Mahadayi river waters up to 7.5 TMC from Goa into Karnataka, such that the long-pending Kalasa-Banduri Nala project can be constructed. The project includes construction of dams for diverting water from Mahadayi river tributaries – Kalasa, Banduri to the Malaprabha River.

Meanwhile, Raita Sena members have taken a resolution to appeal their demands to President Ram Nath Kovind, before the assembly polls.

Drinking Water Shortage

In the 1980s, farmers in North Karnataka districts had launched a movement against the government demanding to resolve the drinking water supply problem in the region. Consequently, SR Bommai Committee was appointed to look into the issue, which had recommended the construction of Kalasa-Banduri Nala project for this purpose, however, the proposal was limited only to papers.

In 2002, the then Chief Minister S M Krishna was able to get the project clearance from the central government and later in 2006, H D Kumaraswamy‘s government began the construction of the project. Simultaneously, the Goa government objected to the project and was able to get a stay order from the Supreme Court. Currently, the matter is pending with the Mahadayi River Water Sharing Tribunal. The final judgment of the tribunal in this matter is expected to be delivered in June-July this year.

Initially, when the farmers’ protest began gaining momentum, the opposition BJP leaders sided with the protesters and accused the Siddaramaiah government of not resolving the issue. Last year, BS Yeddyurappa, the BJP chief in Karnataka, had promised the farmers that he will settle the matter by negotiating with the BJP-led Goa government. As the talks failed, farmers’ groups turned against BJP.

The protesting farmers’ argue that the Central government could have settled the dispute in no time, but it has failed to do so, further delaying the matter, despite continuous struggles by the farmers.