Daijiworld Media Network - Beltngady (SP)

Beltangady, Sep 13: Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, said that he wholeheartedly supports all the activists who have been fighting against injustice in the matter of Cauvery river water usage. "This is not just the fight of people using Cauvery river water. It is a fight being carried on by all the people of Karnataka. But the struggle must be continued peacefully without damaging properties," he opined.

Speaking at Dharmasthala on Monday September 12, Heggade noted that users of Caurery river water are aghast. They are facing injustice in the matter of river water use. All Kannadigas support them. But their mode should be non-violent Satyagraha. Property of government and people should never be damaged or destroyed," he felt.

He asked the concerned not to feel that people of Dakshina Kannada are not with them. "Many districts have been facing shortage of rainfall. River Netravati, where flood used to be experienced at least five to six times a year at Dharmasthala, is having dearth in water flow. People should not waste water. They should use it justifiably. Government also should spread awareness about this issue," he demanded.

Bengaluru: 'Not mandatory to obey SC order' - former advocate general B V Acharya

Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 13: Former advocate general and senior advocate, B V Acharya, has expressed the opinion that the order issued by the Supreme Court (SC) on release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu has violated Interstate River Water Disputes Act.

He is of the opinion that as per section 11 of Interstate River Water Dispute Act - 1956, no courts including SC can interfere in the matter of interstate river water distribution disputes. Only tribunals or monitoring committees can redress the disputes. He therefore is of the opinion that SC has erred in passing order to release water to Tamil Nadu.

He was of the opinion that the SC had only two options before it on the review petition filed by the state government which came up before it on Monday. The SC could only dismiss or uphold it. It was not proper on its part to order the state to release additional water for four days. The state has the option of not adhering to this order on this point too, he felt.

At the same time, he said that if the court treats non-adherence to this order as contempt of court and acts accordingly, the government will have to be prepared to face the consequences. He felt that the government and opposition should unitedly take a decision and show the courage and conviction to boldly face the matter.