'Jana Nayagan' shows cancelled in Karnataka after Cauvery water protests
Mandya: Screenings of Jana Nayagan, starring Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, were cancelled at Gurushree Theatre in Karnataka's Mandya city on Thursday after members of a Kannada organisation staged protests over the ongoing Cauvery water dispute.
The protesters gathered outside the theatre and attempted to enter the premises while raising slogans against the Cauvery Water Regulation Authority's (CWRA) recent directive asking Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days. Police intervened and prevented them from entering the theatre.
As the protest intensified, members of the Kannada Sanghatane tore down posters of the film and demanded that all screenings be stopped. The theatre management subsequently cancelled the scheduled shows.
Speaking to reporters, the protesters said screening a film featuring the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister was unacceptable at a time when Karnataka was facing concerns over drinking water availability and widespread protests against the release of Cauvery water.
"We had come to lay siege to the theatre demanding the cancellation of Jana Nayagan. The theatre manager and owner responded to our demands," one of the protesters said.
Another protester described the CWRA's direction to release 3,500 cusecs of water for 15 days as "a death warrant" for Karnataka.
"On one hand, we are protesting against the decision, and on the other, a film starring the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister is being screened here," he said.
The protesters also alleged that Tamil Nadu was seeking water for its second crop season while Karnataka was itself facing concerns over drinking water supplies.
"How can we permit the screening of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's film when our state is facing such a situation?" another protester asked.
Police remained deployed outside the theatre to maintain law and order. No arrests were reported.
Cauvery dispute sparks wider protests
The Cauvery water-sharing dispute has once again triggered protests across Karnataka amid concerns over deficient rainfall in the Cauvery basin and the impact of water releases on the state's reservoirs.
Kannada organisations are scheduled to meet on Friday to discuss and announce a proposed Karnataka Bandh over the Cauvery water release issue. The groups are awaiting the outcome of the Cauvery Water Management Authority's (CWMA) meeting.
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike president Praveen Kumar Shetty said the date for the proposed bandh would be announced by activist Vatal Nagaraj.
He said farmers, Dalits, labourers and several other organisations would participate to ensure a statewide shutdown.
Shetty also urged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to adopt an approach similar to that of former Chief Minister S. Bangarappa, who, according to him, had refused to release water to Tamil Nadu through an Ordinance.
"Shivakumar must be prepared to make sacrifices for the people of Karnataka," Shetty said.
He added that protests over the Cauvery issue are currently being held in Mysuru, Mandya, Tumakuru and several other parts of South Karnataka.
With IANS inputs