Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Karnataka BJP, Kannada Activists Allege Water Released to Tamil Nadu
Two states in India, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, share a big river called the Cauvery.
A special group called the Cauvery Water Management Authority told Karnataka it must send some river water to Tamil Nadu.
The group said Karnataka should release 12,000 cusecs of water every day for 15 days.
Some people in Karnataka, including activist Vatal Nagaraj and the BJP, are not happy about this.
They say the government released the water at night without telling anyone.
They also worry that farmers in Karnataka need the water for their crops and for drinking.
Nagaraj and his group say they will march from Bengaluru and surround the big KRS dam to stop the water release.
The Karnataka government earlier said it would not release water and wants to challenge the order in the Supreme Court.
The release happened because the authority told the state to do it.
Water was allegedly released from the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir to Tamil Nadu around midnight, BJP and Kannada outfits alleged on Saturday.
The Cauvery Water Management Authority directed Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days on August 12.
BJP Mandya unit spokesperson Manjunath said the Cauvery river's water level increased after the release, despite the state government's earlier stance against releasing water.
Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj claimed the government secretly released water, accused it of previously attributing releases to the Kabini reservoir, and alleged an understanding between the Karnataka Chief Minister and Tamil Nadu counterpart C Vijay Joseph.
Nagaraj said his organisation, Kannada Chalavali Vatal Paksha, will lay siege to the KRS dam within two days, while the state government said it would explore challenging the CWMA order in the Supreme Court.
- Who
- Karnataka BJP's Mandya unit spokesperson Manjunath and Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj made the allegations, while the Cauvery Water Management Authority issued the release order; Nagaraj also alleged an understanding between the Karnataka Chief Minister and Tamil Nadu counterpart C Vijay Joseph.
- What
- Allegations that water was released from the Krishnaraja Sagar reservoir to Tamil Nadu around midnight, triggering activist threats to besiege the KRS dam.
- When
- Around midnight on Saturday, following a Cauvery Water Management Authority order issued on August 12.
- Where
- Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam in Mandya district, Karnataka, along the Cauvery river.
- Why
- To comply with the Cauvery Water Management Authority's direction to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.
Kannada Activists and BJP Critics
Government and CWMA Order Compliance
Midnight Release
Kannada Activists and BJP Critics
BJP and Kannada outfits allege the government secretly released water from KRS at midnight and earlier attributed releases to the Kabini reservoir, demanding a high-level investigation.
Government and CWMA Order Compliance
The release is described as compulsory, following the Cauvery Water Management Authority's direction to release 12,000 cusecs daily for 15 days.
Impact on Farmers and Drinking Water
Kannada Activists and BJP Critics
Activists say releasing water to Tamil Nadu goes against the state government's earlier position of not releasing water due to concerns over availability for farmers and drinking-water requirements.
Government and CWMA Order Compliance
The water level in the Cauvery river increased following the release, and the authority's order made the release mandatory.
Transparency and Investigation
Kannada Activists and BJP Critics
Nagaraj alleges the government refused to share inflow and outflow details, calling them 'highly technical', and claims protesters are being suppressed.
Government and CWMA Order Compliance
The government said the inflow-outflow details were highly technical, and the state is exploring ways to challenge the CWMA order in the Supreme Court.
- Dam/Reservoir
- Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS), Mandya district
- CWMA Order
- Release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days
- Order Date
- August 12
- Alleged Release
- Around midnight on Saturday
- Destination
- Tamil Nadu
- Activist Response
- Siege of KRS dam planned within two days; procession from Bengaluru
- State Government Stance
- Exploring ways to challenge the CWMA order in the Supreme Court