- There is a popular saying in Kannada that roughly translated into English means one should not play politics when land, water, and language are facing any form of challenges to exist unharmed. No one disputes that these are largely very emotional issues for the people who wish to take up the cudgel to ensure the three issues are not compromised come what may. As you are aware, human psychology is programmed to respond to a certain matter whenever the issue of our very own existence is questioned, leading to an emotional response from the masses. Remember, since times immemorial, integral to our existence is dependent on territorial independence from marauding challengers and expansionist-driven invaders hell-bent on conquering new territories.
PC: India TodayNE
- Of course, the modern world has undergone significant changes commensurate with the fast-changing times largely driven by unfathomable advancements owing to the perpetual evolution of technologies. Now, expansion without meaningful allocation of natural resources or measures to ensure seamless availability of the same is bound to lead to skirmishes even in a democratic and federal setup like India. Water is a natural resource that holds an extremely important place in any human dwelling, especially fast-developing urban centers if it wishes to lead the country on the path of envisaged growth. Inadequate planning to ensure that natural resources like water are stored in a scientific, holistic, and practical manner is bound to lead to diverse challenges.
- Many experts have predicted that future wars will be fought over water and the same prophecy appears to come to fruition sooner than later going by the way Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are found fighting over Cauvery waters. Time and again, the issue of sharing of Cauvery waters leads to lots of bad blood between the neighboring states whenever the monsoon rains fail to fill up the reservoirs. We all know how the southwest monsoon rains have played out in the country. The erratic weather patterns have become the order of the day and the eventual ill-effects are visible on the ground as the southern states received less than normal rainfall, especially in the Cauvery River basin. This has only added to the highly emotive issue taking an unwanted turn.
PC: Republic
- Now, one can’t deny the people or the organizations pressuring the government to stop releasing water based on a formula arrived at by competent authorities. The issue would never reach a flashpoint when there is normal or excess rainfall. Trouble arises when the rain gods fail to bless us. The highly charged emotions are bound to kick in and there are enough opportunists out there to take advantage of the situation. The resultant outcome was seen in Karnataka, especially in Bengaluru, where two bandhs were observed in four days. What was achieved except for inconveniencing the citizens and the economy is best answered by the protesters. A simple distress formula would have ensured the matter was resolved amicably. Isn’t it?
