PMK Chief Demands Immediate Legal Action Against Mekedatu Verdict
PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss has made an urgent appeal to the Tamil Nadu government to file a review petition challenging the Supreme Court's recent verdict on the contentious Mekedatu dam issue. The political leader emphasized that the state must present robust legal arguments to counter what he described as a "highly dangerous" judgment that favors Karnataka's position.
Legal Setback for Tamil Nadu in Water Dispute
Anbumani expressed serious concern over the Supreme Court's refusal to prevent the Cauvery Water Management Authority from discussing Karnataka's Detailed Project Report for the dam construction. He characterized this development as a significant setback for Tamil Nadu's interests in the long-standing Cauvery water sharing dispute.
The PMK leader specifically stressed the need to argue that both the permission granted for preparation and the submission of the DPR by Karnataka are legally invalid. He pointed to the historical precedent set by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's final award on February 5, 2007, which was subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court on February 16, 2018.
Historical Precedents and Government Accountability
Anbumani reminded that the tribunal's award explicitly stated that Karnataka, being the upper riparian state, cannot construct any dam across the Cauvery river without obtaining consent from lower riparian states, including Tamil Nadu. He accused the current DMK government of presenting weak arguments and failing to highlight these crucial legal precedents during the court proceedings.
The PMK president issued a stark warning that if the current Supreme Court ruling remains unchallenged, both the Central Water Commission and Cauvery Water Management Authority might approve the project, enabling Karnataka to commence construction work. "Once work starts, going back to court will be like locking the stable after the horse has bolted," he remarked, using a powerful analogy to emphasize the urgency of the situation.
Anbumani drew historical parallels, accusing the DMK government of repeating past mistakes by remaining passive while Karnataka constructed other dams including Kabini, Harangi, Hemavathi and Suvarnavathi during the 1970s. He asserted that the current administration is once again betraying Tamil Nadu's interests by not taking strong legal measures to protect the state's water rights.
The political leader's statement underscores the growing tension between the two southern states over the sharing of Cauvery waters and highlights the critical need for immediate legal intervention to prevent what he perceives as an irreversible damage to Tamil Nadu's water security.
