By Ankita Gupta
In a long media address on Sunday, Tamil actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth expressed his objection against the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) matches to be held in Chennai. He said, It would be an embarrassment if we celebrate IPL while common people are thirsty. I implore the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) players to at least sport black bands over the issue.“
A united call for setting up the Cauvery Management Board
Rajinikanths statement has come at a time when the Tamil film fraternity has joined the chorus protesting the delay in setting up the Cauvery Management Board (CMB). Charging the government, Rajinikanth warned that the Centre would face the wrath of Tamil Nadu if the CMB were not formed at the earliest. He was joined by a host of actors including Kamal Haasan and Suriya, as other southern superstars Vishal and Vijay participated in the one-day fast in Chennai to show their solidarity. On 5th April, the Opposition party, flocked by 5000 supporters had marched from Walajah Road to Marina protest against the State and Central governments.
Tamil Nadus resolve
In its contempt petition to the Supreme Court against the Centre, the Tamil Nadu government will accept nothing less than the constitution of the CMB. Their strategy is to exert pressure on the Government to discharge the responsibilities assigned by the Supreme Court.
On 16th February, the Supreme Court had directed the Center to formulate a scheme to divide the water from the Cauvery River amongst the states of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. According to the SC ruling, the scheme was to be framed within a period of six weeks, without any extension on any ground. However on the 31st March, a day after the approved deadline, the Center filed a clarification petition with the SC seeking three more months to implement its judgement. They cited the upcoming Assembly polls in Karnataka as the reason behind asking for an extension. The Tamil Nadu government is actively protesting against the inaction and delay from the Centre. In a Secretariat meeting, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has advised the Tamil Nadu senior counsel to stick to the demand for the CMB and nothing less.
Karnatakas stance and the Centres dilemma
In the verdict passed on 16th February, the Supreme Court had reduced Tamil Nadus share of Cauvery water to 404.25 tmcft, whereas Karnatakas share was increased from 270 tmcft to 284.75 tmcft. The Karnataka Government is of the opinion that the Supreme Court has neither endorsed nor approved the formation of the Cauvery Management Board in its ruling.
The Centre also seeks clarification on the formulation of the scheme for the distribution of Cauvery water amongst the riparian states. It has indicated that the scheme to be proposed might not include the formation of a CMB. Citing examples of the BBMB and Narmada Control Authority (NCA), the government has argued that the ownership, operation and maintenance have to be worked out between the management body and the respective states. The Centre said that since the states have different opinions on the formulation of the scheme floated by the Union Government, more clarification would be required before further action.
Chennai: Cricket fans vs Cauvery farmers?
The IPL matches which are scheduled from 10th April to 20th May have taken a hit in the Cauvery row. AMMK party leader Dhinakaran has appealed to cricket fans to boycott the IPL matches to strengthen the voice of farmers. He tweeted about the states collective response against the alleged injustice perpetrated by the state and central government on the Cauvery: the lifeline of Tamil Nadu.
The Chennai Super King CEO KS Vishwanathan said that they would support the Tamilians in their stand for CMB and cooperate in whatever way we can. However, when asked whether they would back out of the IPL or wear black bands as a sign of protest, Vishwanathan only said that the collective decision would rest with the management.