Politics of A Wedding

The wedding of Nikhil, son of former Karnataka Chief Minister, Kumaraswamy, with Revathi, also from a political family, was in news for all the wrong reasons.  Though stoutly defended by the ruling CM of the State, the celebrations were roundly criticised in the times of crisis.

Kumaraswamy sees Nikhil as his political successor.  He tried to launch his son in movies and produced a few but has not been able to establish him in the industry as a bankable hero.  Nikhil last year stood for Parliamentary elections from Mandya and lost to Sumalatha, the widow of Ambarish, another matinee idol.  And, just when the dates for the wedding were decided, the country saw the eruption of coronavirus infections. 

The avowed political first family of Karnataka decided to go ahead with the ceremony nonetheless because they thought there would be no other good dates for the wedding.  They made all the right noises too - that there would be few guests, and everyone would follow social distancing, and so on.  They even made a media announcement begging forgiveness from their loyal following for not inviting any of them to the function.  They probably were trying to lift up their sagging political fortunes.

What transpired on the ground was different.  While only 60 guests were to be allowed at a wedding, there were certainly over hundred teeming at the venue, going by the pictures that went viral.  No social distancing was visible anywhere.  Over 40 vehicles were given curfew pass to the venue.  It could have been more too.  And, the policy of only two people in a vehicle was not observed either.

To a politician, almost any publicity is good.  It ensures s/he stays in news.  It matters politically.  Ask Vatal Nagaraj.  Similarly, for a family that is becoming irrelevant slowly in politics of the state.  Their influence is limited just to Hassan and a few other burrows.  Even within their own community, the grip is slowly easing.  Deve Gowda is not growing young anymore; nor is he as popular.  Even though Kumara Swamy is considered pragmatic and likeable, his decisions to promote son have not been popular nor successful.  Revanna, the other son of Deve Gowda, is a wheeler-dealer than a leader.  

The family ideally should have deferred the wedding and released a press note that people matter more now than their own personal happiness.  However, if it was absolutely keen to conduct the wedding in these times of the pandemic, could surely have found innovative ways to do so.  And, won loads of hearts.  Easily, they could have organised a wedding at a Registrar's Office, limited to a dozen people.  And, set an example by shunning all ostentation.  One, it would have sent a message that the family is responsible and is concerned about the well-being of everyone.  Two, the family would have looked progressive if they had shunned rituals - even if temporarily.  Loads of new-age voters would have given a huge thumbs up to that.  Particularly the urban voters - areas where the party hardly has any ground and needs to concentrate.  The party would have reaped a lot of goodwill then.  And, possibly Nikhil's stars might have changed for the better.  Now, they do not seem to be - even though he has a star in his life now (Revathi).

By creating negative publicity for themselves, the Gowda family has in all likelihood written their political future an early obituary.  Even their staunch supporters would think many times to support the reckless behaviour they have exhibited.  As they vacate their exalted space in politics, we soon need another party to rise and take their place soon.

Conflict, Cauvery and Chintan

At last the award is out. The tribunal has given its order regarding the oldest water-sharing dispute (probably) in the world. 419tmc of water to Tamil Nadu, 270tmc to Karnataka, 30tmc to Kerala and 7tmc to Pondicherry (Puducherry now?). As a Kannadiga my initial reaction to the order was a little disappointment (I hadn’t expected Karnataka to gain much from the protracted legal battle) and a little irrational anger. ‘Why is it that TN gets a disproportionately larger share of water while Karnataka gets so little?’ I screamed at the TV like Vatal Nagaraj (of the dark glasses-cum-stupid-cap with rabid dog behaviour infamy). However I am no political leader/activist nor am a member of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike. I don’t live in Karnataka (haven’t lived there in 10 years). So all my anger couldn’t be directed at any Tamil(even if one were around). Nor could I rationalise all the protests that might (be) take (taking) place in Karnataka – the looting, rioting, violence, burning and any other kind of rampage (I believe in violent words/vitriolic arguments and unfortunately not in physically violent behaviour). I have heard that unprecedented security measures have been taken by the state government to avert any untoward incidents (I'm sounding so clichéd).



Instead I went to the net and started reading the entire case history of the dispute (after many years again). I also read the breaking stories from the internet editions of leading newspapers. I google-searched and found enough links. I pored over the interviews, research papers, arguments that I found on the net (even some American universities have used this dispute as a case study). I read the order of the Cauvery Tribunal carefully. What I learnt surprised me.

Compared to the interim award given in 1991, Karnataka has to release less water to Tamil Nadu (182tmc – 175 actually, as 7tmc has to be released to Puducherry from this share again - now as compared to 205/210tmc). And, this is ONLY during a normal or good monsoon year and not during a rain-deficit year. And, the 419tmc (thousand million cubic feet) water TN is entitled to is inclusive of the water that joins Cauvery in TN. Importantly the measure would be the water level at Biligundulu and not at Mettur.

Karnataka has certainly benefited from the adjudication of the tribunal but the government may not accept it easily. The dispute has always been more political than real. It’s more an emotive issue than pragmatic. It is time for the government to ‘educate’ itself and the emotional Kannada elements of the reality of the dispute and the award. Isn’t it time to learn that the Cauvery network has more area in TN than in Karnataka? Has the river not been completely exploited by both the states already? Should the government not tell its citizens that even at the height of agitation it released water to TN and complied with the interim orders of the tribunal?

However I have a few points to pick. No axe to grind though. For one, what is this allocation for environmental purposes? Why should it only be allocated to TN? Why can’t there be some allocation on Karnataka’s side too? Or is it already included in the 270tmc earmarked as the state’s share? The second point – the more important one – is the tribunal’s silence on the sharing of waters during the non-normal (or dry or lean) years. It says there’d be proportional sharing. But is that fair? Should not there be a mechanism in place to know what’s proportional during the years of distress (the years that precisely cause agitations, riots and disturbances and stoke the political fires)? If the Tribunal couldn’t arrive at a mechanism in 17 years that it took to give this adjudication it is one of its failures.

I fervently hope that there are no more untoward incidents in either states, that there would be a comfortable truce and peace between the two states and its people (the two states have had bitter rivalries stretching over the historical ages and it’s time to forget the past). Cauvery is worshipped on both sides of the border. May She answer my prayers!

P.S. It’s possible that when I make my trip to Karnataka I’d be lynched by my own friends who’d read this piece. I’m looking forward to that!

Spread the Aroma!

India Post released its first ever fragrant stamp. I was happy on two counts. One, as a member of the philately club I was one of the first to receive this stamp. Two, the stamp bears the heavenly fragrance of sandal wood, the Royal Tree of Karnataka (declared so by the Wodeyars in 1792). Even the First Day Cover released bears its unmistakable scent.

3 Million stamps have been brought out. Those interested may rush to the nearest Post Office and grab one (costing Rs.15) for keepsake! Don't ask me to write you a snail-mail and affix this prized stamp of mine!