Tamil Nadu Farmers Bury Themselves in Sand to Demand Cauvery Water Release

Farmers in Tamil Nadu staged a dramatic protest on the banks of the Cauvery River at Tiruchirappalli, burying themselves in sand to press for the immediate release of Cauvery water for irrigation. The demonstration was organized by Farmers’ Association leader Ayya Kannu, who said Karnataka has failed to honour the Supreme Court’s directive to supply water, jeopardising the Kuruvai crop. Kannu urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay to file a suit in the Supreme Court seeking Rs 1 lakh crore in compensation and warned that the proposed Mekedatu dam would further threaten water availability. Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was cited for refusing to release 3,500 cusecs of water, while BJP state secretary Vinoj P Selvam criticised the Tamil Nadu government for inaction. The protest highlights the ongoing inter‑state water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.