CH NEWS, RAMANAGAR
Krishna Gowda, state president of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Swabhimani faction, said his organisation would not support the Karnataka bandh called by Vatal Nagaraju on August 13 over Cauvery water sharing.
Speaking at a press conference in Ramanagar on Tuesday, he said the proposed bandh was unscientific and could trouble ordinary people.
He said the sudden call lacked support from many pro-Kannada organisations and would create inconvenience for the public. Gowda questioned why an experienced former MLA with contacts among leaders could not pursue discussions before calling a statewide protest. He urged Nagaraju to reconsider the decision.
Gowda said protests should have a clear purpose and lead to a practical result. He argued that a bandh alone could not solve the Cauvery dispute. While asserting that Karnataka had legitimate concerns over its water, he said the issue needed dialogue and stronger action. He also asked Kannada activists to raise their voice on corruption and the closure of government schools.
He said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister had expressed willingness for talks on the water dispute and suggested that the two state governments should first discuss the matter. A protest could be considered after their decision, he added. Gowda criticised Karnataka leaders for what he described as weak action on the Cauvery issue.
He said the organisation would continue to oppose what it considered sudden and unplanned bandhs. He called for focused campaigns on public issues and said the Cauvery dispute should be handled responsibly. District leaders Shiva Gowda, Kiran, Adduri Lingesh, Swami and Prabhakar attended the press conference also.
Vatal Nagaraju urged to fight for Bidadi farmers
Activist Krishna Gowda has urged Vatal Nagaraju to raise his voice for farmers protesting against the Bidadi project. Nagaraju has called for a state bandh over Cauvery water issues, but Gowda questioned his silence on the farmers’ year-long protest. He said merely making statements would not help the affected farmers. Gowda asked whether Nagaraju had failed to notice their struggle and demanded that he launch a strong movement supporting them. He stressed that farmers need action and sustained support. Gowda’s remarks came amid growing demands for greater attention to the concerns of Bidadi farmers.
