The month of Sept 2016 will go down in the history of India’s IT capital of the country, Bengaluru, as a dark spot on the glorious contribution of the citizens in putting the city on the international map. If Bengaluru had in the past made news for all the right reasons, this time it was for arson, violence and hatred in the misplaced machismo of Kannadigas and Tamils writes Vijay Grover from the ground

On 12^th of September, the clouds of smoke seen across the city skyline gave a clear indicator that the hate campaign was at its peak. Vehicles, especially trucks with Tamilnadu registration plates, were stopped, set ablaze and joyous crowds enjoyed the scenes that unfolded.

The brazenness of the attack was that the mobs clicked ‘selfies’, shot phone videos to establish their contribution in the ‘fight for our rights’. The verdict from the Supreme court on 12^th September reiterating its earlier order of 5^th Sept 2016 directing Karnataka to release Cauvery water to Karnataka triggered one of the biggest reactions from the prop Kannada organizations in the state.

Within hours of the Supreme Court verdict, social and regional media had done enough damage to the city and state. A video clip from Rameshwaram in Tamilnadu, where a Kannada speaking driver was beaten up by a fringe Tamil outfit and  another of a Tamilian boy being thrashed for his comments against Kannada film actors were triggers enough on the social media to evoke strong sentiments of hate.

With the Kannada and the Tamil regional channels picking up the videos to play them again and again in loop served as provocation enough for the people of the two states to display anger. A petrol bomb attack in Chennai against the Woodlands hotel chain sparked off an ugly chain reaction in Karnataka. The objective of the divisive forces was achieved.

An angry mobster told this reporter, “We want to teach a lesson. They assume that we are weak and will remain silent to injustice. The Supreme Court and Jayalalithaa must know that we will oppose every move to take our water rights away”.

Slogans of “Cauvery Nammadhe “ (Cauvery is Ours) and “Beke Beke Beku Nyaya Beku” ( We want Justice) rent the air.

What triggered such strong reactions? Clearly the administration was taken on the backfoot as the state administration, especially the Bengaluru City Police was not geared for such a scale of violence.

“It is a clear case of Intelligence failure, they failed to gather ground reports that preparations had been made by fringe elements to attack.” A police officer not willing to be identified told Policy Pulse.  The fact that the arsonists had stationed themselves strategically to attack properties, especially vehicles within hours showed that it was not spontaneous but planned attacks to tarnish the city and government’s image.

The prominence that Bengaluru gets on news media due to its international brand value, focused the media coverage to the city.  National media channels gleefully beamed the dramatic visuals of burning vehicles and stone pelting. A feast strong enough for channels to gather TRP’s.

The usual NBA guidelines which are followed with respect to other states were given a complete go-by and footages showing provocative scenes were telecast with brazen aplomb. “ What is the impact on #BrandBengaluru?” was a question after the damage had been done. The twitterati and the social media was abuzz questioning every move of the state administration.

The transfers of 5 IPS officers within 48 hours of the incidents clearly indicated that the government was in no mood to take things lightly. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, caught in a corner tried his best to wriggle out trying to pacify protestors and not react strongly to the Supreme Court.

It took the collective effort of Congress leaders and an emergency cabinet meeting on 13^th Sept to help draw out a plan. Speaking to media after the cabinet Siddaramaiah assured Bengaluru that there was no reason to panic as water supply till June 2017 could be managed.

“I appeal for peace, we will comply with the Supreme Court directive to release water, there is a main petition of the state which comes up on 18^th October to defend Karnataka’s share in Cauvery water dispute,” said Siddaramaiah.

No doubt the state has been caught in a catch 22 situation, with over 35% shortfall in rains this year and  the position in the state’s reservoirs at 31.52 Tmcft on 14^th Sept compared to 59.98 Tmcft last year is not good.

The demand for drinking water from Cauvery has grown in the last decade. A rapidly growing Bengaluru has seen the population rise to over 12 million people from around 4 million people a decade back. While Karnataka government has been trying its best to implement provision of drinking water supplies to most residents, moves to expand the same have been opposed by Tamilnadu. No wonder every time the Cauvery water dispute arises Bengaluru comes to a boil.

Is there a solution to the Cauvery water dispute in sight?

For a river which saw the first legal battle over its waters as early as 1888 , legal clashes between the erstwhile Madras Presidency and Mysore presidency , now Karnataka and Tamilnadu has seen several disputes on sharing of its resources.

With cyclical drought years bringing the two states in conflict every few years, demands for a permanent solution have not been feasible due to political compulsions. For the regions dependent on Cauvery water , such conflict years become a fertile ground for political consolidation. As many a politicians and political parties thrive on the despair and anger generated to reap political benefits.

Need for a National Water Policy  

The Karnataka Chief minister’s appeal for a “National Water Policy” did not find any takers. Even the letter to the Prime Minister did not generate any reaction, as the Chief Minister waited for over 2 days for any response from the PMO on his efforts seeking an intervention from the highest quarters.

What surprised many was the fact that even the reaction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not assure any role the centre would play in resolving the crisis.  KPCC working President Dinesh Gundu Rao told Policy Pulse, “The people of Karnataka, awaited an assurance from the Prime Minister and the Central Government on the ongoing water dispute. Doesn’t Karnataka fit into the Development plans of the Centre?”

But given the present scenario, it seems highly unlikely that either the Supreme Court will modify its order which has forced Karnataka to release 1.6 tmcft water till 20^th September or the central government which will not get into a conflict zone with judiciary again.

With the weather forecast promising some good showers in Coorg in the next two weeks of September, all eyes are on the Rain God who in the past has also helped douse the flames of hatred.