Sandalwood supports Cauvery protest

There will be no ‘lights-camera-action’ at Sandalwood on October 6 as the Kannada film fraternity has decided to support the ongoing farmers’ agitation against Union government’s directive to the state to release Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu. Artistes and technicians will take out a rally to Raj Bhavan under the leadership of rebel star Ambareesh.

Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) president KV Chandrasekhara told mediapersons on Thursday that the Kannada film industry will stop shooting and screening of films across the state.

“All the artistes and technicians of Sandalwood will assemble at 10 am on the KFCC premises. We want the state government to not release Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu, since many parts of the state are reeling under severe drought,’’ Chandrasekhara said.

He said a delegation of the Kannada film industry has already met G Made Gowda, president of Cauvery Hitharakshana Horata Samiti, and extended its support to the agitation. “Vatal Nagaraj has also appealed to the Kannada film industry to extend its support to the Cauvery agitation,’’ he said.

Sa Ra Govindu, president, Dr Rajkumar Abhimanigala Sangha has appealed to the people from other states, especially those from Tamil Nadu, staying in Bangalore to express their solidarity with Kannadigas. “I am not expecting and anticipating the unfortunate incident that took place on November 11, 1991 to recur now. It is the duty and responsibility of Tamil-speaking people to extend their support by participating in agitation,’’ Govindu said.

Stating that well-known actor Ambareesh is the leader of Kannada film industry, he recalled how Rajkumar used to hit the streets whenever Kannada language, culture and films were in danger. “All of us will abide by the decision taken by Made Gowda and Ambareesh on Cauvery water dispute with Tamil Nadu,’’ he said.

Coming down heavily on prime minister Manmohan Singh for directing chief minister Jagadish Shettar to release 9,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu, Govindu opined that the prime minister should have sent a delegation to check the water level at various reservoirs in the state.

“A similar situation arose when S Bangarappa was chief minister. He had the courage to promulgate an ordinance. I expect Shettar to do the same,’’ he added.

Criticising Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa for raising the Cauvery river water issue, he has said it has become a habit for her to do it. “Jayalalithaa’s intention is to create problems for Karnataka. There was no problem while M Karunanidhi was at the helm of affairs,’’ he said.