Can the Supreme Court's observations on the Interlocutory Application be construed as a victory for Goa? The Goa government moved the apex court with a plea to restrain Karnataka from proceeding with the Mhadei water diversion. There was a clear understanding that Karnataka was proceeding with works on the project even as forest clearances were awaited.
The apex court, however, has only reiterated its earlier order that Karnataka cannot go ahead with the construction work at Kalasa and Bhandura tributaries without securing the statutory permissions. The Supreme Court has maintained that an order on the issue is already in force, indicating there's no change. Therefore, there is no question of claiming victory. The Goa representation needed to have established that Karnataka was undertaking work based on the Central Water Commission (CWC) clearance of the Detailed Project Report (DPR). No cognisance has been taken on any construction work as the court has explicitly told Goa that it is free to move the court again if Karnataka proceeds with construction work.
The only notable takeaway for Goa is the directions to the CWC to submit a copy of the cleared DPR to Goa. This will not only help the State to understand and, if required, even challenge the parameters based on which the project got a clearance. As a result, the State will be in a better position to understand the nuances of the project and can accordingly decide on its strategy in the future.
The hearing comes as a setback to Goans against the confidence exuded by Advocate General Devidas Pangam that Goa has substantial grounds to stop Karnataka's 'sinister' design to divert water and his claims that Karnataka will be exposed before the Supreme Court when all the court has done is repeat its earlier directive. The bottom line is that the issue is now entirely centred around forest and wildlife clearances.
Interestingly, on Sunday, a cross-section of people, activists and political leaders indulged in the symbolic burning of candles and diyas as a mark of protest against the Mhadei water diversion, bringing back memories of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to citizens across India to do a similar exercise during the onset of the Covid virus in April 2020.
Back then, there was a palpable fear of Covid, and citizens switched off electricity as the clock struck 9 pm and lit candles and diyas, while many flashed cellphone lights and burnt firecrackers in what was portrayed as a collective resolve to fight the pandemic gloom. Apart from the symbolism on display, the theory was that lighting diyas and candles collectively would release a considerable amount of heat and light energy into the atmosphere to counter the virus.
While people religiously followed the directives of the PM, sections of the citizenry ridiculed the move. They heaped scorn saying the populace was being treated like cult toys performing to the whimsical commands of the country's political leadership at a time when the nation was grappling with a lockdown, and many were struggling to access their daily food.
Cut into the present, the Mhadei symbolic protest on Sunday, in large measure, proved to be another gimmick in terms of its objective. Because the true purpose of protests over Mhadei is long lost, and if all there should be 'light', it should have been over creating awareness of what Mhadei means to Goa and the impact of the diversion of water on the State. Ironically, those who had slammed the PM over his Covid outreach then were seen happily indulging in the diya lighting and photo ops this time, with brazen hypocrisy in open display.
While the forest clearances are debated, what is more, significant is an effort to raise awareness. Meetings must focus on educating people on the importance of water and how the Mhadei diversion will affect the consumption pattern in the State. We must have constructive debates on our options, legally, strategically and otherwise, instead of tom-tomming politically-targeted agendas.
The recent House Committee meeting deliberated on a slew of measures that included roping in experts and consultants on the issue, while Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira stressed the need to keep emotions away from the equation. There were meaningful discussions put on the table, and a lot of misconceptions were cleared.
With the next hearing scheduled for July, Goa will still have to keep its fingers crossed while Karnataka pursues forest and wildlife clearances. The only positive from all the protests and sloganeering back home is that it has kept the State government on its toes and made it accountable to the people of Goa.
