The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Contentious issue

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 03, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Contentious issue

It is improper to blame Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, who said his government would implement the Hogenakkal drinking water supply scheme at any cost, for the anti-Tamil sentiment in Bangalore. Incidents of violence have taken place in Karnataka against Tamils even earlier over water-sharing.

The Chief Minister has the responsibility of not only meeting the needs of his people but also assuring them that his government will not be cowed down by unwarranted protests by some chauvinist groups in Karnataka.

S.A. Prakasam,
Warangal

While the sharing of Cauvery waters for irrigation is already a contentious issue between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the sharing of water for drinking is also turning into a hot subject which is really unfortunate.

The issue was resolved 10 years ago by mutual agreement. But a few political leaders of Karnataka are taking advantage of the coming elections to arouse passions. Any violence against Tamils in Karnataka should be firmly dealt with.

V. Pandy,
Tuticorin

Water-sharing has always been a bone of contention between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Kannada chauvinists periodically indulge in violence against the Tamils living in Karnataka over the issue. The State government, too, stokes the politics of hatred by defying the orders of tribunals and courts.

Karnataka has a dispute over river water sharing or territorial ownership of some border areas with all its neighbouring States. The people belonging to those States bear the brunt of the Kannada activists whenever the disputes come to the forefront. The media never highlight their plight while that of north Indians in Mumbai gets national attention.

Raji Mani,
Mumbai

Once again, a water project with good intentions has raked up a controversy, flamed by political parties, between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The creation of States on the basis of language has indeed created divisions among neighbours.

It is the ordinary people who bear the brunt of the inconvenience caused by dharnas, bandhs and disruption of movies and television. It is time the Centre nationalised essential natural resources such as rivers.

R. Dwarakanath,
Bangalore

When the States were sought to be reorganised on linguistic basis, some of our statesmen opposed it. But their advice went unheeded. Today, politicians are exploiting regional sentiments to the hilt to whip up passions and further their ends. No politician has the courage to say that languages are only tools of communication and should not be glorified or deified.

In the context of the decades-old river water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, our politicians should ask themselves why only Tamils living in Karnataka are targeted for attack every time the issue flares up and not the Telugus, Marathis or Malayalees even though Karnataka is having a dispute over border or water-sharing with Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Kerala too. One hopes better sense will prevail.

K.N. Ramani,
Coimbatore

The basic issue is water resources are getting depleted while the demand for water is increasing. Air and water are gifts of nature and should be treated as common property. States and administrative regions have been created for the betterment and effectiveness of governance. In case of a dispute, a comprehensive and tolerant attitude from both sides is called for.

Capt. O.B. Nair,
Kochi

Both States should avoid confrontation which causes untold hardship to the people on both sides. The resolution of the issue through negotiations and mutual understanding is better than winning a case in a court of law or by force. Tamil Nadu can perhaps offer a part of the treated water to Karnataka free of cost.

V. Dhandapany,
Chennai

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Opinion

News Update

Stories in this Section

Unsettling a settled issue

Italian uncertainties

How China sees the Dalai Lama and his cause

Third of U.K. Muslims leaving school with no qualifications

Corrections and clarifications

Unilateralism and the Finance Commissions

U.S. courting France as new NATO partner

Contentious issue

Hate politics