CM DK Shivakumar Clarifies Kabini Water Released for Dam Safety, Not for Tamil Nadu; Vatal Refuses to Call Off August 13 Bandh

All-Party Meeting Unites Karnataka on Cauvery Front

Bengaluru, August 2: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar chaired a high-level all-party meeting at his official residence Krishna on Sunday, bringing together leaders from across the political spectrum to discuss Karnataka's response to the Cauvery Water Management Authority's (CWMA) order directing the state to release 3,500 cusecs per day to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.

The meeting was attended by Deputy CM Parameshwara, Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Union Ministers HD Kumaraswamy, V. Somanna, and Shobha Karandlaje, state ministers MB Patil, KJ George, and Krishna Byre Gowda, opposition leaders R. Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanswamy, KPCC President BK Hariprasad, JD(S) leader Suresh Babu, former Chief Ministers Siddaramaiah, M. Veerappa Moily, BS Yediyurappa, and Basavaraj Bommai, along with MPs, MLCs, former ministers, and Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty. Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda wrote to the CM expressing full support for protecting Karnataka's water interests but was unable to attend due to personal health reasons.

DKS: Kabini Water Released for Dam Safety, Not for TN

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, CM Shivakumar offered a crucial clarification on the water release that had sparked public alarm.

"The Kabini reservoir is completely full. To maintain a safe 2–3 feet of freeboard, water was released yesterday afternoon (August 1) for dam safety purposes. Until that point, not a single reservoir had released water to Tamil Nadu," he stated.

He acknowledged the difficult situation the state had faced: Karnataka had received only 35% of normal rainfall at the start of the season, and the CWMA's order to release 3,500 cusecs daily had created intense pressure. Tamil Nadu had been insisting on 9.5 TMC of water. However, timely rains have since improved the situation significantly.

Shivakumar outlined current reservoir inflows: Kabini is receiving 24,000 cusecs, KRS 22,000 cusecs, Hemavathy 12,000 cusecs, and Harangi 10,000 cusecs — a combined inflow of 67,378 cusecs. Since June, the state had released 2.9 TMC in June and 1.5 TMC in July. The government's stated priority is to retain a minimum of 40 TMC for drinking water needs.

"As a son of the Cauvery basin and a farmer's son myself, our government is committed to protecting the interests of 7.5 crore people of Karnataka," Shivakumar said. He added that the state held a virtual consultation with its team of lawyers based in Delhi and received legal advice on invoking the 'distress formula.'

All Parties Back Government; Bandh Consensus Against

All parties represented at the meeting backed the government's stand. Former ministers, central ministers, and opposition leaders offered guidance and legal suggestions. The meeting also reached a unanimous view that the Mekedatu balancing reservoir remains the only permanent solution to Karnataka's recurring water storage crisis.

On the Karnataka bandh called for August 13, the all-party meeting reached a clear consensus: the bandh is counterproductive and should not be allowed. CM Shivakumar made a direct appeal to all Kannada organisations and farmer groups to withdraw the bandh call.

"A Karnataka bandh benefits no one. I urge all Kannada organisations and farmer groups not to go ahead with it. The government and nature are on your side. Please be patient while the government engages with your organisations and ministers," Shivakumar said.

Vatal Nagaraj Refuses to Back Down

From Mysuru, veteran Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj gave a blunt rejection to the CM's appeal.

"There is no question of stepping back from the Karnataka bandh. We will hold the bandh — the full Karnataka bandh will happen. Even CM DK Shivakumar is welcome to join us; we will greet him with a betel leaf," he said.

Vatal explained the purpose of the bandh: "Just because it has rained does not mean water should be released to Tamil Nadu. The demand is to fill our own canals first. The Karnataka bandh will not cause harm to anyone."

Vijayendra Writes to TN CM Vijay

BJP State President BY Vijayendra took a diplomatic route, writing a significant letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay over the Cauvery dispute and the Mekedatu project.

"The Cauvery river must be a bond that unites the people of both states, not a force that divides them," Vijayendra wrote in his letter. He called for the two states to resolve their differences through open dialogue and political maturity, citing the example of how former CM BS Yediyurappa and M. Karunanidhi resolved the Thiruvalluvar statue (in Bengaluru) and Sir M. Visvesvaraya statue (in Tamil Nadu) issue through statesmanship.

Vijayendra urged TN CM Vijay to approach his upcoming visit to Bengaluru — where he had earlier indicated he would meet DK Shivakumar to discuss the Cauvery issue — with empathy for Karnataka's farmers and citizens.

He made a special appeal for support for the Mekedatu balancing reservoir, arguing that it would significantly address Bengaluru's drinking water needs without impinging on Tamil Nadu's legitimate water rights. "Your support for the project would be a strong symbol of cooperation between our two states," he wrote.

"Karnataka and Tamil Nadu must move forward in harmony. People of both states need drinking water and water for their crops. Cauvery should unite our people, not divide them," Vijayendra said, summarising his letter.