Kaveri Dispute: A Historical Perspective

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Kaveri is a major river in the south, embroiled in many controversies for centuries. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu who are the principle contenders in this dispute, consider this river a lifeline on which depend several agricultural and economic activities. Kerala and Puducherry too play a significant role in the use of the waters of the river. Demands far exceed the availability of water. The vagaries of weather have further contributed to the complexities of claims and counterclaims of the contending parties.

The author takes us through the history of this dispute which can be traced to 1807 when Madras objected to restoration of tanks by the erstwhile State of Mysore. Here is a kaleidoscopic view of the dispute. Legal issues have been placed before various fora since 1913. The SC verdict in February 2018 is the latest in a list of several adjudications. A well researched piece of history.

Some amorphous thoughts about River Kaveri had been hovering around my head for over twenty years. Alittle over two years ago, in my endeavour to give them some form, I finally got down to writing this book-my first ever attempt. Two political entities, now identified as Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are embroiled in a long dispute over sharing of the waters of the river. The strict mandate I gave myself was to consider this complex issue in its historical perspective.

The progress I made was admittedly slow. The realisation that the study was largely dependent on historical facts and documents was daunting. It necessitated repeated visits to the archives. With the accumulation of more data, the focus unconsciously shifted to other aspects of water. About 80% of the people in India depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Needless to say that water is most integral to agriculture. Punjab, the land of five rivers, is rich only because agriculture has had a decisive say in the financial health of the state.

This diversion from history took me to other problems concerning water acute shortage of drinking water and the perennial problems of floods and droughts. In the peak of summer there are heart rending pictures of hundreds of people having gathered around a well. Their mission is just to collect a pitcher of water. But the well is nearly dry.

Providing drinking water facilities to rural India is still a great challenge where people out of sheer necessity have to depend upon groundwater for their basic needs. As discussed in detail in this book, repeated floods and droughts have brought no solution to the beleaguered people. Ironically, governments have spent incredibly large arnounts of money. But these efforts have brought no semblance of relief. Hence it became necessary to dwell upon the plight of the people and their unending sufferings that have gained features of permanence.

Cauvery river dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu is one of the oldest in India. It is not just a case of sharing the water between an upper riparian state (Karnataka) and a lower riparian state (Tamil Nadu); it is also about the British imperial power imposing its will on a vassal state (State of Mysore) and the resultant injustice to it.

After independence, the two states became Tamil Nadu and Mysore, later Karnataka. The dispute continued. Ultimately the Supreme Court had to settle it, to the dissatisfaction of both. The Supreme Court apportioned the share of each state and ordered the setting up of a regulatory authority. It would be the task of this authority to manage the release of water from the reservoirs built in Karnataka and 'Tamil Nadu. In normal years this is not a problem, but in years of less than normal rainfall it becomes a contentious issue. Drought years cause distress. Then water has to be regulated judiciously, keeping in view the welfare of people in both the states. This is termed as 'distress sharing. And that needs compassion. One hopes that the regulatory authority will not be wanting in it when the time comes.

Shri C. Chandrashekar has given details of the case and the Supreme Court judgement from Karnataka's point of view. This book presents Karnataka's case in a historical perspective. It gives a brief overview of the history of Mysore and the history of the dispute from Karnataka's side. Shri Chandrashekar has diligently collected archival material from various sources. For anyone interested in knowing about Karnataka's case this is a handy compendium.

Wretched Covid. Social meetings became impossible. How can I, a news hawk for over five decades in print, electronic and visual media live in my social bubble? It was a welcome break when Chandru called me last week suggesting we meet. He casually mentioned he had something important to discuss. Vague anticipations hovering over my head.

Chandru is someone whom I know for over four decades since my Shivamogga days in the late 1970s. After a teaching stint in Mysore University he became a cop-by accident, leaving his academician friends wondering if he hadn't made a horrendous mistake. It was an enigma for those who were acutely aware of his passion for music, literature and the fine arts. Will the new domain be his dénouement, they wondered!!!

With the proliferation of Chandrasekhars, he was re-christened Police Chandru for easy identification by friends like me in the media.

Almost immediately we came down to the brass tacks. He said he had written something and wondered if it was worth publishing. Munching over crisp Dosa and several rounds of coffee at Vidyarthi Bhavan, Gandhi Bazaar, Bengaluru, he spoke about the Cauvery dispute for two hours. No notes before him. Sheer spontaneity. The British arrival in India in 1608 to the present is the time-span he covered. Not an easy task I thought. As we left, The Cauvery Dispute-A Historical Perspective was in my hands.

I read his book with great care. I was wonderstruck by the delineation of the historical perspective of his chosen topic. In addition, his objectivity, the depth and the logical bestowal were astonishing.

Under the existing circumstances, his dilemma, helplessness and the silent suffering are understandable considering how passionately he feels about the historical wrongs and the recent developments.