DMK leads protest in Thanjavur

Cauvery issue: Udhayanidhi leads DMK demonstration in Thanjavur; calls CM Vijay ‘incompetent’ Thousands of supporters of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) gathered in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, as the outfit’s youth wing leader, Udhayanidhi Stalin, led the charge in protesting the Tamil Nadu state government’s handling of the Cauvery water sharing dispute with Karnataka. The protest, which marked the second day of nationwide DMK demonstrations, aimed to raise public awareness about the pressing need to protect the Cauvery delta region and its long-suffering farmers. DMK supporters were seen carrying banners and placards highlighting the outfit’s key demands, including the suspension of work on the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project in Karnataka..

Udhayanidhi Stalin took to the stage, where he launched a scathing attack on the Tamil Nadu government, specifically targeting Chief Minister M.K. The DMK youth leader, known for his fiery oratory, alleged that the state administration had failed to effectively address the Cauvery water sharing issue. Our Chief Minister is completely incompetent when it comes to the Cauvery issue, Stalin declared, and the people of Tamil Nadu will not tolerate this anymore..

The crowd responded with thunderous applause, chanting slogans in support of their leader and the DMK’s demands. The DMK has maintained that the implementation of the Mekedatu project poses a significant threat to the ecology of the Cauvery delta region. Water experts have warned that the project could lead to a drastic reduction in the river’s water flows, with devastating consequences for agriculture in the delta districts..

The DMK has therefore urged the Centre to intervene and halt the project, citing the urgent need to protect the long-standing rights of Tamil Nadu farmers to Cauvery water. The outfit has also called for the immediate waiver of outstanding farmers’ loans to alleviate their financial distress. The DMK has chosen to hold demonstrations in every district of Tamil Nadu to put pressure on the state government to take decisive action..

The protests have been accompanied by a statewide bus and train blockade, which began on Monday and is scheduled to continue until Thursday. The DMK has vowed to intensify its agitation in the coming days, with Udhayanidhi Stalin promising nationwide protests in case the Centre fails to address the Cauvery water sharing dispute satisfactorily. At the Thanjavur protest, DMK activists held up placards carrying images of the Cauvery River and messages demanding an end to the Mekedatu project..

The outfit has distributed leaflets among the public, highlighting the adverse impact that the project could have on Tamil Nadu farmers. DMK supporters have also taken to social media to spread awareness about the Cauvery issue and the need for urgent government intervention. The party’s protests have drawn the attention of several prominent opposition leaders, who have expressed their support for the DMK’s demands..

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K.S. Alagiri visited the Thanjavur protest, saying, The Congress will stand with the DMK on this issue and fight for the rights of Tamil Nadu farmers to Cauvery water. The DMK has welcomed this support, saying it will continue to engage in dialogue with other opposition parties to build a united front against the Centre..

The Mekedatu project has become a contentious issue in recent years, with Tamil Nadu opposing the construction of a balancing reservoir across the Cauvery River in Ramanagara district, Karnataka. The DMK accuses the centre of ignoring Tamil Nadu’s concerns and allowing the project to proceed despite the state’s opposition. We will not allow our rivers to be plundered for the benefit of Karnataka’s industrialists, Udhayanidhi Stalin declared..

Stalin has maintained that his government is working to resolve the Cauvery issue peacefully. However, the DMK youth leader has expressed his disappointment with the state administration’s handling of the issue, saying that it has failed to deliver tangible results. The DMK is the only party that has genuinely fought for the rights of Tamil Nadu farmers and will continue to do so, Stalin said..

The Cauvery River is a vital waterway in southern India, supporting millions of farmers in both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The dispute over Cauvery water has been ongoing since the 19th century, with Tamil Nadu consistently demanding a greater share of the river’s waters. The DMK has called upon the Centre to intervene and find a lasting solution to the dispute, saying that it is in the national interest to protect the ecology of the Cauvery delta region..

DMK workers in Thanjavur took turns addressing the crowd, sharing personal accounts of the hardships faced by farmers in the Cauvery delta region. Many farmers have expressed their gratitude to the DMK for raising their concerns and fighting for their rights. The DMK has distributed pamphlets containing contact details of the state authorities and central government offices, urging people to write in and express their opposition to the Mekedatu project..

The DMK protests have come at a time when Tamil Nadu is struggling to recover from a devastating drought. Several agricultural districts in the Cauvery delta region have reported a decline in soil moisture, with farmers expressing their concern about the forthcoming samba crop season. The DMK has called upon the Centre to declare the Cauvery delta districts as drought-affected, providing relief to farmers who have suffered crop losses due to the drought..

In his speech, Udhayanidhi Stalin called for a sustained struggle against the Centre and the Karnataka government to protect Tamil Nadu’s water rights. He urged opposition parties to join hands with the DMK in its fight against the Mekedatu project. If the Centre is unwilling to listen, we will not be deterred, Stalin declared..

We will continue to agitate and fight for the rights.