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Following a week-long protest, burning of effigies and temperamental statements, by political outfits and fringe groups in Karnataka against the Supreme Court's order on release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, when the overall situation was thought to have restored to normalcy, the kind of violence staged by rioters on Monday clearly indicates how even isolated incidents of mob frenzy can spiral into large-scale violence. There were videos that were viral on the social media, sparking tensions. Members of a Pro-Tamil group hurled petrol bombs into a Hotel in Chennai, run by Kannada speaking people, warning that any act of violence against Tamil speaking people in Karnataka would invite a similar reaction in Tamil Nadu. Prior to that in the last week, similar statements were coming from Pro-Kannada groups in Karnataka.
Now whoever starts violence, the outcome of violence is going to be more retaliatory violence. Mobsters on the streets posing as representatives of people of their respective states and indulging in mindless violence are criminals who must be behind the bars. They are holding lives of gullible people at stake. What is the role of a truck driver or a taxi driver in the Supreme Court's order? Why burn down his sole means of livelihood? He may be living on an earning just enough or even less to look after his family. No reason ever can justify the violence that is been on display now. These thugs are stirring the sentiments of farmers and using that as a guise are playing to the gallery, to foster their own political ambitions.
The state governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu should handle such people as law deems fit in such cases of violence, arson, and rioting. It's not a time to wait and watch or for appeasement and coaxing. The role of an administration is to maintain law and order, even if it means criticism from a segment of the society, which rides on popular sentiments. The film fraternity in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu should know that they are setting a wrong example by emoting sentiments that can only worsen the issue. It is an interstate issue and there is a mechanism of law that has been trying to address it, and state governments as petitioners have all the resources and expertise at their disposal to put forward their arguments. So let's not legitimatize mob violence on Cauvery issue and make it look like a justified expression of anger. Indeed the level of violence rioters have resorted to, is bound to create an environment of insecurity among people of these states.
There are Tamil speaking people living in Karnataka and Kannada speaking people living in Tamil Nadu. Any assault on them or their property based on their regional or linguistic identity should be treated as an act of sedition as it is bound to endanger the unity of the nation and peaceful coexistence of its people. People from all walks of life in both the states, from common people to those influential in the society, should voice against the ongoing violence. The situation should not be used to win political scores, personal hatred or prejudice towards people from other states. Cauvery River Water sharing has been an issue since the 19th century or perhaps even earlier. Can unruly mob violence resolve what has not happened over centuries? We need rational unbiased people with cool heads to handle the issue, not hooligans setting public vehicles on fire.
Now whoever starts violence, the outcome of violence is going to be more retaliatory violence. Mobsters on the streets posing as representatives of people of their respective states and indulging in mindless violence are criminals who must be behind the bars. They are holding lives of gullible people at stake. What is the role of a truck driver or a taxi driver in the Supreme Court's order? Why burn down his sole means of livelihood? He may be living on an earning just enough or even less to look after his family. No reason ever can justify the violence that is been on display now. These thugs are stirring the sentiments of farmers and using that as a guise are playing to the gallery, to foster their own political ambitions.
The state governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu should handle such people as law deems fit in such cases of violence, arson, and rioting. It's not a time to wait and watch or for appeasement and coaxing. The role of an administration is to maintain law and order, even if it means criticism from a segment of the society, which rides on popular sentiments. The film fraternity in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu should know that they are setting a wrong example by emoting sentiments that can only worsen the issue. It is an interstate issue and there is a mechanism of law that has been trying to address it, and state governments as petitioners have all the resources and expertise at their disposal to put forward their arguments. So let's not legitimatize mob violence on Cauvery issue and make it look like a justified expression of anger. Indeed the level of violence rioters have resorted to, is bound to create an environment of insecurity among people of these states.
There are Tamil speaking people living in Karnataka and Kannada speaking people living in Tamil Nadu. Any assault on them or their property based on their regional or linguistic identity should be treated as an act of sedition as it is bound to endanger the unity of the nation and peaceful coexistence of its people. People from all walks of life in both the states, from common people to those influential in the society, should voice against the ongoing violence. The situation should not be used to win political scores, personal hatred or prejudice towards people from other states. Cauvery River Water sharing has been an issue since the 19th century or perhaps even earlier. Can unruly mob violence resolve what has not happened over centuries? We need rational unbiased people with cool heads to handle the issue, not hooligans setting public vehicles on fire.