Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Cauvery issue

The report that Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy planned to take up matters other than the Cauvery issue during his visit to New Delhi made interesting reading. Mr. Kumaraswamy's decision not to discuss the issue with the Prime Minister was strange because the people of Karnataka have been given to understand that a great injustice has been done to them by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's final award. Week-long protests were organised and a State-wide bandh was observed. If the award is indeed against the interests of Karnataka, the best thing to do would have been to highlight the contentious points and create public opinion in the State and across the country. The issue should have figured on Mr. Kumaraswamy's agenda.

S.V. Shashidhar,
Bangalore

The fact that the bandh called on February 12 passed off peacefully shows that the people of Karnataka are mature and tolerant. But the message is loud and clear — injustice will not be tolerated. The elected representatives of the State and the Centre should spell out an action plan to address the injustice done to the people of Karnataka.

Inamdar Ramchandra,
Bangalore

The Tribunal has given its final award on the basis of the fact that Tamil Nadu has traditionally cultivated a substantially larger area than Karnataka and allotted 419 tmcft of the total 740 tmcft to it against 270 tmcft to Karnataka. There may be many genuine reasons why the people of Karnataka did not indulge in traditional cultivation. But that is no reason to deprive them of their rights.

Seturam Aspari,
Bangalore

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's opinion that neither State has lost after the Cauvery award (Feb. 12) is well considered. His suggestion that an out-of-court settlement is possible in the Mullaperiyar issue is also commendable. The need of the hour is political wisdom and sagacity on the part of the States concerned, which will further strengthen our national unity and integrity.

G. Thirumalai,
Chennai

As a seasoned politician and an experienced administrator, Mr. Karunanidhi has given valuable advice to the people of all the States — to see reason and sense in sharing the available water. Instead of politicising the issue, the political class and the chauvinist elements in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu should exercise restraint.

L. Chinnappan,
Chennai

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