Cauvery Row: Screening of 'Jana Nayagan' halted in K'taka

Shows of 'Jana Nayagan', the film starring Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, C. Joseph Vijay, were cancelled at Gurushree Theatre in Mandya city in Karnataka on Thursday following protests by members of a Kannada organisation over the ongoing Cauvery water dispute.

The protesters gathered outside the theatre and attempted to barge into the premises, raising slogans against the Cauvery Water Regulation Authority's (CWRA) recent directive ordering Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days. Police intervened and prevented the demonstrators from entering the theatre.

As tensions escalated, members of the Kannada Sanghatane tore posters of the film and demanded that all screenings be immediately stopped. Theatre management subsequently cancelled the scheduled shows.

Addressing reporters, the protesters said screening a movie featuring the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister was unacceptable at a time when Karnataka was facing a potential drinking water crisis and widespread protests over the release of Cauvery water.

"We had come to lay siege to the theatre demanding the cancellation of 'Jana Nayagan'. The theatre manager and owner responded to our demands," one of the protesters said.

"The Cauvery agitation is ongoing. The CWRA's order directing Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water for 15 days is like a death warrant for us. On one hand, we are protesting against the decision, and on the other, a film starring the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister is being screened here," he added.

The protesters further alleged that Tamil Nadu was seeking water for its second crop season while Karnataka itself was grappling with concerns over drinking water availability.

"How can we permit the screening of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's film when our state is facing such a situation?" another protester questioned.

Police maintained a security presence outside the theatre to prevent any untoward incidents. No arrests were reported.

The Cauvery water-sharing dispute has once again triggered protests across Karnataka amid concerns over deficient rainfall in the Cauvery basin and the impact of water releases on the state's reservoirs.

Meanwhile, Kannada organisations are set to meet on Friday to discuss and announce a 'Karnataka Bandh' in protest against the Cauvery water release issue. The organisations are awaiting the outcome of the crucial meeting of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike president Praveen Kumar Shetty said on Thursday that the date for the proposed Karnataka Bandh would be announced by activist Vatal Nagaraj. He stated that several organisations, including farmers, Dalits, labourers, and all other groups, would participate to ensure a complete shutdown across the state.

"Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar should take a decision similar to that of former Chief Minister S. Bangarappa, who refused to release water to Tamil Nadu by promulgating an Ordinance. Shivakumar must be prepared to make sacrifices for the people of Karnataka," Shetty said.

He added that protests over the Cauvery issue are currently being held in Mysuru, Mandya, Tumakuru, and several other parts of South Karnataka.