Karnataka Farmers Protest Water Releases to Tamil Nadu

Farmers in the Kabini-Cauvery command area protested Monday in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office after the Kabini reservoir's water level dropped nearly 10 feet in 25 days. Led by the Karnataka Farmers’ Organisations Federation, protesters demanded that the state government stop releasing water to Tamil Nadu to ensure an adequate supply for local standing crops.

Federation president Kurubur Shanthakumar criticized the government for making water release decisions in Bengaluru without consulting affected farmers, calling the policy an "anti-farmer decision." Protesters warned they might take control of the reservoir if the government does not act.

Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanta Reddy met with the protesters and pledged to present their demands at an irrigation advisory committee meeting in Bengaluru.