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Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar leads all‑party meeting on Cauvery water dispute
On 2 August 2026 Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar chaired an all‑party meeting in Bengaluru to formulate the state’s legal and political response to the Cauvery water‑sharing dispute with Tamil Nadu. The meeting, attended by former chief ministers, senior legislators and Union ministers, reviewed the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s order that Karnataka must release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days starting 29 July.
Shivakumar urged Kannada organisations and political parties not to call a statewide bandh, stressing that the government’s top priority is protecting Karnataka’s farmers and drinking‑water needs. He noted that the monsoon has delivered only about 30‑35 % of normal rainfall, but the Kabini reservoir is now full and inflows to other reservoirs have improved.
The chief minister also described the proposed Mekedatu balancing‑reservoir project as a permanent solution to the Cauvery dispute and said Karnataka will move forward with it while respecting the Supreme Court’s judgment. Amid the tension, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay postponed his planned visit to Bengaluru, citing an unfavourable atmosphere. Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy added that there is no immediate crisis because of the good rainfall.
Entities
C. Joseph Vijay · Cauvery River · Cauvery Water Management Authority · Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) · D K Shivakumar · D. K. Shivakumar · D.K. Shivakumar · Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam · Kabini Reservoir · Karnataka · M. K. Stalin · Mekedatu project
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Farmers in Karnataka staged protests and road blockades in Mandya and Mysuru districts. www.aajtak.in · www.ibtimes.co.in
- [● 2 SOURCES] Kannada‑supporter groups announced a statewide bandh for 13 August.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Shivakumar said Karnataka cannot release water because of rain and water constraints.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Mekedatu project's balancing reservoir is claimed to benefit Tamil Nadu more than Karnataka, except for power generation. madhyamamonline.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Screenings of Tamil Nadu actor‑CM Thalapathy Vijay's film were blocked across Karnataka due to the water dispute.
- [● 2 SOURCES] B.Y. Vijendra, Karnataka BJP leader, called for protests and criticized the state government over the water release order. www.aajtak.in
- [● 4 SOURCES] Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar postponed the August 3 meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on the Mekedatu project. madhyamamonline.com · www.ibtimes.co.in
- [● 5 SOURCES] The CWMA ordered Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days starting 29 July. www.aajtak.in · madhyamamonline.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Mandya police superintendent Shobha Rani said extensive security arrangements were in place in Mandya, Srirangapatna and Maddur.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The protest was against the Cauvery water dispute and the state's decision to release water to Tamil Nadu.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] BJP and farmer groups staged a protest at the Krishna Raj Sagar dam in Srirangapatna on July 31, 2024.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Protest leaders included BJP state president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa, opposition leader R. Ashok and CL Narayanaswamy.