In the wake of the crisis in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over sharing Cauvery water, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday appealed to the people of both states to "display sensitivity, and also keep in mind their civic responsibilities", ANI reported. "Breaking the law is not a viable alternative. The violence and arson seen in the last two days is only causing loss to the poor, and to our nation's property," he said in a statement.
Condemning the incidents of violence reported from both states in the past two days, Modi said solutions must be found through "restraint and mutual dialogue". He appealed to the public to put "nation building above all else". Curfew continued in several parts of Karnataka though no new incidents of violence were reported on Tuesday.
Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu also appealed for calm in the states. According to the information and broadcasting minister, the Supreme Court was looking into the dispute, and hence it should not be brought on to the streets. "Such violence cannot be justified on any grounds and particularly, after the direction of the highest court of the country. Such violence and destruction of property negates the rule of law and ultimately impacts the life of common man," he said.
He acknowledged that water was a "sensitive and emotive issue and particularly, in times of scarcity". However, he held that such issues can be resolved through discussions among the concerned parties. he also appealed to the media to exercise restraint while covering such issues. "Highlighting such incidents visually and otherwise might incite further violence", he said, according to The Hindu.
Naidu said Kannadigas in Tamil Nadu and Tamilians in Karnataka should not be made to feel insecure. "A large number of people from each state live in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and have been making significant contribution to the development of the state of their choosing. It is the constitutional right of every citizen to live in a place of their choice in the country," the minister said.
On Monday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh called up Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and her Karnataka counterpart Siddaramaiah to take stock of the situation in the states, reported PTI. Singh assured them of central assistance in handling the law and order situation that has been out of control since the Supreme Court passed its verdict on September 8. After the apex court asked Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu, farmers and activists took out protests across the state express their dissent.
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