Mysuru, Aug. 1 -- Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday defended the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, saying the state had no option but to allow surplus water to flow downstream once reservoirs reached full capacity, even as protests intensified across Karnataka against the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's directive.
Addressing agitating farmers and pro-Kannada activists in Mysuru, Shivakumar sought to temper public anger, asserting that nature, not politics, dictated the release of excess water.
"We cannot hold back Cauvery water. Once the Kabini reservoir is full, the excess water has to flow downstream. It is impossible to stop it," he said.
The Chief Minister stressed that Karnataka was not voluntarily releas...