Mutt heads express solidarity with Cauvery agitators

The heads of more than 20 mutts across the state, in unison, demanded a National Water Policy (NWP) and intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in solving the ongoing Cauvery dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Expressing their solidarity with the protesters in Mandya on Monday, the seers said that the mutts have always supported farmers and will continue doing so.

Adichunchanagiri seer Nirmalanandanatha Swami urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to lead a delegation of experts to meet the PM, and offered to accompany the team.

“The agreement for water between the two states, that was signed in 1924, should be renewed taking into account the current environmental conditions, rainfall, watershed areas,” he said.

Suttur seer Shivaratri Deshikendra Swami said, “The conspiracy of the British, who were instrumental in signing the agreement, has turned into a bane for Karnataka. The court’s verdict has affected the farmers and the government should come to the aid of the farmers at this juncture. The elected representatives should be ready even to resign if that would help the state to wade out of the crisis.”

Siddalinga Swami of Siddaganga Mutt, Jaya Mruthyunjaya Swami of Koodala Sangama Panchamasali Mutt, Bebi Mutt’s Trinetra Mahanta Shivayogi Swami and Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama’s Muktidananda Swami participated in the protest. MP C S Puttaraju and, MLAs N Cheluvarayaswamy and Ramesh Bandisiddegowda were present.