Karnataka government denies allegations of secret Cauvery water release

A political dispute has emerged in Karnataka regarding the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu. Following a directive from the Cauvery Water Management Authority to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily for 15 days, members of the BJP and various Kannada activist groups have alleged that the state government has been secretly releasing water from the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir at night.

Karnataka Water Resources Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy has dismissed these allegations, stating that no water was released from the KRS Dam during June or July. He clarified that while the state is required to release water, current outflows include approximately 10,000 cusecs from the Kabini reservoir and seepage water reaching Tamil Nadu.

Opposition leaders, including R. Ashoka, have accused the government of a “two-faced” approach, claiming that water is being released to appease political allies while local farmers in Mandya, Mysuru, and Chamarajanagar face water shortages. In response to the allegations, Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj has announced plans to lay siege to the KRS Dam within the coming days to protest the perceived mismanagement of water resources.