A battle for water in Karnataka

Violence has gripped the state of Karnataka for over a week over the interim verdict on Mahadayi Project by the Supreme Court. The rejection of Karnataka’s plea to Goa, asking for 7.56 thousand million cubic feet of water from the Mahadayi River for drinking water projects in Hubbali Dharwad and surrounding regions has sparked off a series of violent protests in North Karnataka.

Mahadayi, also known as the Mandovi in Goa, originates in Karnataka and meets the Arabian Sea in Goa. The river traverses 28.8 km in Karnataka, but 81.2 km of its length is in Goa. The decision to go ahead with the Kalasa Banduri project ran into trouble when Manohar Parrikar — then the Chief Minister of Goa — raised objections,claiming it would harm Goa’s flora and fauna. Following this, funding to the project was put on hold by the National Democratic Alliance that was at the Centre at the time.

For the people of arid regions of Nargund, Navalgund and Ron regions in northern Karnataka, the Kalasa Banduri project has been one on which they’ve pinned their hopes. Their anger led to sporadic violence when people took to streets on July 26, 2016, in Belgavi, Hubli-Dharwad and Gadag districts. Raitha Horratta Samiti protested at several places blocking roads with their tractors and bullock carts. Janata Dal (Secular) member Basavaraj Horatti told Newslaundry over the phone, “One has to look at the disappointment of the farmers. One generation of farmers has spent a lifetime waiting for the project, the next generation has been waiting with hope. This interim order has come as a blow. The politics between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress has ruined their lives.”

Over the weekend, protesters and policemen, farmers and district administration clashed against each other. National Highway 218 was blockaded by bullock carts. Local police alleged mobs went on rampage in places like Navalkund. On Saturday, the police retaliated brutally during the Karnataka Bandh that was called. Videos and photographs of police lathi charging men, women and children went viral. “Why is the government crushing us?” asked Bheemarao Patil, a resident of Navalkund, where the local police has filed complaints against more than 50 people. “They are arresting our people. The drinking water needs of people cannot be ignored by Goa and why has the Karnataka government not been aggressive on the matter?”

The state was quick to order a probe into the use of “excess force”. State Home Minister G Parameshwara apologised for the same on Sunday when an internal police probe blamed the policemen for lathi charge on the protesting farmers in Navalkund.   “I apologise to the women and children who were caned by police at Yamanur village in Dharwad district while searching for those who indulged in violence during the shutdown,” Parameshwara said.“I have asked the DGP to take disciplinary action against the policemen directly responsible for beating old women and children.”

For Karnataka, the issue is important because the lives of over one crore people depends on the project. Since the project was envisaged in 1989, the Goa government has continuously opposed the move of Karnataka to go ahead with the Kalasa Banduri project.

The anger over the recent verdict helped the political parties to put the issue on the centre-stage of a new round of political tug of war. BJP and the JDS trained their guns on the state government for not having represented the case effectively enough in the Supreme Court to protect the state’s interest. An RTI activist from Hubbali irked by the verdict released an RTI document, detailing the payment  ofRs 9 crore  paid as legal fees to various advocates appointed by the Karnataka government. Raising a demand that the government change its legal team, which has been led by Fali S Nariman (he was paid a whopping Rs 2.6 crore). The Congress was quick to deflect the attack on the state government. The JDS and Congress charge has been cornering BJP on the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not intervened.

Given the fact that Goa goes to polls next year, it’s unlikely that the BJP will risk any decision that could put the party in Goa in a tight spot.Facing an anti-incumbency wave in Goa and possible pressure from Aam Aadmi Party, BJP is keen to retain Goa. Karnataka’s water resources minister, MB Patil told Newslaundry, “Even the last time the Prime Minister did not act and put the ball in our court knowing well that the state by itself cannot bring Goa to negotiations table. This time with polls around we doubt that he will call for a reconciliatory meeting with Goa.”

H K Patil, Karnataka’s Minister of Rural Development told Newslaundry, “Karnataka has always maintained that the issue can be resolved only by talks. It’s a meager 7.56 TMC feet of water but is essential for the drinking water needs of people of North-western parts of Karnataka. Goa government should rise beyond the legal stance of opposing the Kalasa Banduri project and  adopt a flexible approach.”

In Goa, meanwhile, the state government adopted a wait and watch policy. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar commenting on the interim verdict  expressed joy that the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal has rejected Karnataka’s plea to divert 7.56 TMC water from the Mahadayi basin to Malaprabha river and termed it as an “It’s an important decision for the bright future of Goa. Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal, rejection of Karnataka’s plea to divert 7.56 TMC water from Mahadayi basin to Malaprabha river is welcomed. We have won the battle, but war lies ahead,” Parsekar told reporters after tribunal gave its order in New Delhi.