Film stars in action mode on river row
The Kannada film industry has strongly backed the bandh call given by various organisations opposing the decision to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
More than 5,000 people from the fraternity, including actors, technicians, producers, distributors and workers, will gather at the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) building at 11 am on Saturday and take out a silent rally to Raj Bhavan and submit a memorandum to Governor H R Bhardwaj.
Addressing the media on Friday, KFCC president B Vijaykumar said the entire film industry had voluntarily come forward to support the bandh, led by veteran actor Ambareesh. The industry has also demanded the resignation of the four Union ministers - Mallikarjun Kharge, K H Muniyappa, S M Krishna and Veerappa Moily - and MPs from the State.
Producer Sa Ra Govindu said these leaders should have appealed to the prime minister to send an expert committee to Karnataka before the Cauvery River Authority (CRA) meeting was held. Based on the recommendations of the committee, the government should have taken an appropriate decision.
He also slammed Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar for releasing Cauvery water in the middle of the night. “So what if Karnataka failed to adhere to the court directions.
We could have attracted contempt of court, which would mean a jail term for a couple of months. Shettar could have scripted history by taking upon the challenge for the people of the State,” he said, adding that their protest was aimed at both the State government and the Centre.
Govindu warned of intensifying the agitation if the release of water was not stopped immediately. “We might go to Mandya and lay siege to the houses of the MPs. We will be as involved in this movement as we were during the Gokak movement,” he said.
Actor and producer Rockline Venkatesh said all leading actors will participate in the bandh. Actors, including Shivarajkumar, ‘Duniya’ Vijay, Prem, and Ajay, have already extended their support to the bandh call.
