BELAGAVI
Accusing Karnataka of misleading the public by branding the project as a drinking water initiative, speakers from Hubli-Dharwad claimed the diverted water is required for growing sugarcane farms to feed sugar factories which have sprung up in large numbers in North Karnataka.
Former Karnataka Minister Shashikant Naik said the Karnataka government had been lying to the courts and tribunals that this is a drinking water project.
“However, the ultimate aim is to provide water to industries,” said Naik, while also taking objection to Karnataka initiating land acquisition before obtaining due clearances from the Centre.
Adv Arun Desai also alleged that the project is for industries and sugar factories, not to quench the thirst of North Karnataka people.
“Karnataka government is taking water from the rural poor to supply to the urban rich,” Adv Desai alleged.
Sharada Gopal, an advocate of sustainable farming, questioned Karnataka’s promotion of water-intensive crops.
“We are defying nature while ignoring rainwater harvesting and traditional wisdom,” she said.
She also suggested that promoting rainwater harvesting and other sustainable practices would suffice to address the water scarcity of Northern Karnataka, rather than diverting Mhadei water.
Sujit Mulgund spoke against the project, stating that they would fight the issue legally, socially, and politically, if necessary.
Baba Bhayankar Nath of Dongargaon Nath Panthi Mutt said people need to protect nature and fight against environmental destruction.
ISKCON’s Nagendra Prabhu also appreciated the agitation as a moral duty.
“If we don’t protect nature, we perish,” Prabhu said.
