Buried in sand for water: Cauvery farmers accuse the TVK government of failing them

Farmers in Tiruchirappalli staged a stark protest on the Cauvery riverbank, burying themselves in sand to demand the immediate release of water from Karnataka for the Kuruvai crop.

Led by farmers' association leader P. Ayyakannu, the protesters said Karnataka was releasing only surplus water while denying Tamil Nadu its due share, turning the state into what they called a drainage state. They also renewed opposition to the proposed Mekedatu dam.

Ayyakannu urged Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to approach the Supreme Court and seek compensation for losses suffered by the farming community, arguing that reservoirs across the border held substantial storage while delta fields waited.

The protest sharpened political pressure on the TVK government. Opposition voices accused it of failing to protect farmers' interests and of moving too slowly to secure the state's share through the Cauvery Water Management Authority.

For delta farmers, the dispute is not abstract. Between June 1 and July 22 this year Tamil Nadu received only a fraction of the water scheduled under the Supreme Court framework, and delayed releases from Mettur have already disrupted sowing plans.

The government has preferred bilateral talks with Karnataka, a course farmer representatives have opposed, saying negotiation should not bypass the legal mechanisms created by the 2018 judgment. Sunday's protest suggests patience in the delta is wearing thin.