The Hindu

Bangalore, Apr 5: The Kannada film industry has called upon all national and regional political parties to express their stand on all Kannada-related issues, including the Cauvery and the Krishna inter-State water issues and the long-pending demand for implementation of the Mahajan report, in their respective election manifestoes.

A majority of the Kannada protagonists, particularly leading Kannada film personalities, who staged a dharna here on Friday to protest against the Tamil Nadu Government’s decision to construct a drinking water project at Hogenakkal, were united in the demand on election manifestoes spelling out the stance of the political parties vis-a-vis Hogenakkal.

Many film artistes, directors, producers, technicians and others held the “opportunist politicians” of both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu responsible for the ongoing Hogenakkal imbroglio.

They appealed to the people of both the States to refrain from succumbing to the “evil designs” of vested interests and let loose their emotion since such an act could jeopardise the healthy relationship. Speakers felt that the Hogenakkal issue would not have gained undue momentum and caused anxiety had Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and Union Minister Anbumani Ramadoss refrained from making “inflammatory and provocative” statements against “Kannada, Kannadigas and the geographical sovereignty of Karnataka.”