Kalasa-Banduri project: Relief for Karnataka as SC dismisses Goa govt's petition for stay

Water dispute

The Supreme Court said that the project construction could begin after obtaining necessary clearances.

Theja Ram

AMOL GAITONDE VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the apex court’s interim order in 2014 regarding the Mahadayi water dispute between Goa and Karnataka. The apex court disposed of the Goa government’s petition for a stay against the Kalasa-Banduri project.  On Friday, the Goa government had approached the Supreme Court seeking a stay order on the construction of the Kalasa-Banduri Project. Earlier on February 20, the Goa government had approached the apex court requesting interim relief from implementing the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal’s order dated August 14, 2018.  The Apex Court bench of justices DY Chandrachud and Ajay Rastogi said that the Kalasa-Banduri project can start after the Karnataka government obtains necessary clearances.  “The Karnataka government must prepare a fresh detailed project report and obtain necessary permission from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. They must obtain Environmental Clearance and also a technical clearance from the Central Water Commission according to the 2014 interim order. This was upheld today,” one of the lawyers representing Karnataka told TNM.  The court also upheld that the Mahadayi Water Management Authority must be constituted and that the Detailed Project Report must be approved by this authority before the Kalasa-Banduri project construction begins. Speaking to TNM, Vijay Kulkarni, who started the fight for the Kalasa-Banduri project in Gadag’s Nargund, says that the Supreme Court’s verdict is welcome, but said that the project construction must begin immediately.  “When we started our protest, it was for the construction of six canals across the Ghataprabha and Malaprabha rivers, both of which are tributaries of Mahadayi. We wanted the government to construct the project so the parched areas in north Karnataka get 8 TMC of drinking water. EC and other clearances are not necessary for drinking water projects so the central government must grant permission to begin construction immediately,” he said.  In 1980, Vijay Kulkarni along with farmers of Nargund in Gadag and Navalgund in Dharwad began the movement demanding drinking water in the water-scarce regions of North Karnataka. The state government, had in 1980 collected a betterment fee from the people for drinking water but had not provided any. When the agitation began, the then Chief Minister, Gundu Rao, formed a committee to come up with a solution. This was headed by the then Leader of Opposition SR Bommai. The SR Bommai Committee recommended the linking of Mahadayi river to the Malaprabha river through the Kalasa-Banduri project after holding consultations with the protesters. The Centre on February 26, notified the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal’s order dated August 14, 2018 which allocated 13.41 TMC of water from the Mahadayi River to Karnataka. On February 27, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa announced that monetary allocation would be made for the Kalasa-Banduri project during the 2020-21 budget, which will be presented on March 5. The Goa government had sought the stay order after Yediyurappa’s announcement. 

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'Mundina Nildana' is a sensible story: Director Vinay Bharadwaj intv at BIFFES

Interview

'Mundina Nildana' is the only Kannada movie to be selected under the Asian Cinema category of the prestigious Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFES).

Pooja Prabbhan

Debutant filmmaker Vinay Bharadwaj has an effervescent vibe to him. His debut movie Mundina Nildana echoes his findings over a period of time— Life is brief, and one must choose to move on to the next nildana. Pegged as a ‘millennial favourite’, Mundina Nildana is the only Kannada movie and one among the three Indian films to be selected under the Asian Cinema category of the prestigious Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFES). In a candid chat with TNM, he shares the inside track. ‘It feels special to be the only Kannada movie…’: “India is one of the biggest film markets in the world in terms of quantity. When I did Mundina Nildana, the whole intention was to do something for the Kannada industry. To do something which is good in content, different and urban, which doesn’t usually happen in the regional film industry. It feels great that it is the only Kannada film. Being special feels good, I suppose,” chuckles the 36-year-old. “It’s a very coveted, prestigious category and BIFFES has always been one of the most noted festivals in Asia. I got a call from a writer who told us about the selection. We submitted the film and like every other filmmaker, I was hoping it would get selected. I don’t know who the jury is. When I look at things in retrospect, I think the relatability factor worked in our favour.”   ‘This is a sensible story’: Despite the movie having all the ingredients of the perfect commercial flick, Vinay believes there’s more to it that just the right dose of masala. “Mundina Nildana is a musical (seven songs) and is commercially packed. But it’s a sensible story. It reflects today’s generation. It’s a story that millennials need to see and understand. Partha (Praveen Tej) is an IT guy, like many, many people, and he wants to become a photographer. Meera (Radhika Chetan) is an art curator looking for a soulmate, and Ahaana (Ananya Kashyap) is a 21-year-old medical student who is driven and looking for a dalliance. She’s today’s girl. When their paths cross, what happens to Partha and what it takes for the three to go to their Mundina Nildana is what the movie is about.” He further adds, “In the movie, everything is perfect - job, luxury, convenience, freedom which is very difficult to attain in real life. Hence a lot of people said that the movie is aspirational. At the same time, young people could connect with it. India is the youngest country in the world, I wanted the youth to realise that come what may, they should keep moving on in life, there will be many stops and there is no point in getting hung up on something—bad breakups, bosses, and jobs don’t matter. Life doesn’t stop, so shouldn’t you. The movie also has a very pertinent health message which I can’t reveal now because it isn’t available on OTT platforms as yet.” Vinay is hopeful that things will get rolling for the movie on that front soon. “The movie had a successful running for five weeks, post which there was a volley of queries about why it wasn’t available on any OTT platform. While I don’t want to stress over it, the team is consciously trying to get it on any of these platforms for the audiences to watch.” Emphasising how prestigious film nominations aren’t restricted to a specific/ niche genre any more, Vinay adds, “The lines are getting blurred, things are changing. Whatever movie has a message for today’s generation and has a stronger reach, will click.  Filmmakers need to balance it out between commercial packaging and sensitive stories and my attempt with Mundina Nildana was just that.” ‘I have a little bit of me in Partha, Meera and Ahaana’: “When I took the decision of pursuing the entertainment industry, I started my first international show Salaam Namaste Singapore and I took a sabbatical. When I was deciding between two careers, I was clear that it wasn’t only about being passionate. Your passion needs to pay you money. Otherwise it won’t survive. It’s about finding a balance to transport your passion to a pay check– you’ve got to be smart about your dream,” he says. Talking about how the collaboration with Red Chillies Entertainment was a dream come true, Vinay says, “When I quit a well-cushioned job, I knew I wanted to make something which I could take pride in. That’s why seven music directors and an illustrious production house came together along with a host of eminent figures from the industry. Nobody's going to do a favour to you.” ‘I have no external inspiration/mentor in the industry’: “My inspiration is all from life stories. My life changed when I lost a loved one to cancer five years ago. Waiting for 54 days in front of the ICU, I’ve seen people die in front of me. That changed my perspective about life—it’s really short. That’s why I’m very picky when it comes to selecting projects. My inspiration comes from people’s stories. Whenever I feel low, I think about Vidya Balan—who did not give up for 10 years before Parineeta happened. I’m very self-driven and have a great spiritual connect. I’ve never gone to a film school, I’ve never assisted anyone on a film set.” ‘Truth is, people fall in love irrespective of the era and circumstances’: “Love is inevitable for human beings. What makes a love story special is the way you treat it. There’s so much more you can get out of a love story. From the 1950s, we’ve been seeing love stories, it’s not new. But people in any generation fall in love. And every story is unique because it’s about two people falling in love. Love will never fade away.” With a few more films on his plate, Vinay hints at interesting collaborations on the cards. “I’m on the lookout for a body of work, where the reach is much wider. I’m working on three stories, and writing for two web-series. I’m also looking at an international project. While I’m not sure about what would work or pan out first, I’m hoping to tell a great story which will sync with a much larger audience,” he signs off.

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Judicial custody of Kashmiri students charged with sedition in Karnataka extended

Courts

The three students will remain in the Belagavi prison.

Soumya Chatterjee

File Image

A Hubballi court on Monday extended the judicial custody of three Kashmiri students who were arrested for sedition, till March 7. The students of the KLE Institute of Technology, who were arrested on February 15 for allegedly saying Pakistan Zindabad, will continue to be lodged at the Belagavi district jail, as the police cited safety concerns.  Nasir Khuehami, the spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, confirmed the development. The three students were arrested after a Bajrang Dal member approached the police over a viral video where the three students were seen singing a Pakistan army-made song. In the video, which was shot by one of them, features them shouting “Azadi”, “Pakistan” and “Zindabad” as part of the chorus. The case had also seen many controversies surrounding the case. For one, the accused were accosted by members of pro-Hindu outfits when they were being produced in the court on February 19. Following this, the police had registered a suo motu case against the members of right-wing outfits. Read: K'taka police book pro-Hindu groups for assaulting 3 students charged with seditio Later, the Hubballi Bar Association passed a resolution asking its members and other lawyers in the state not to represent the three students in a court of law and assist in their bail plea.  Read: Karnataka lawyers representing students in sedition case manhandled by other lawyers However, the resolution had to be withdrawn after the Karnataka High Court rebuked them for carrying out a “mini-trial” by themselves. Terming it a “disgrace” caused to the legal community at large, Chief Justice AS Oka remarked that the resolution went against the Constitution and also professional ethics. The High Court ordered the Hubbali Police Commissioner to give police protection to the lawyers who were willing to represent the students. The High Court also took strong exception to the fact that the lawyers from Bengaluru, who had appeared for the three students, were heckled and attacked by lawyers belonging to the Dharwad Advocates Association, including its president. Even stones were pelted at the car in which the lawyers from Bengaluru had come to the court. 

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The glaring loophole in U.S. virus response: Human error

Mistakes already abound as health officials prepare for outbreaks across the United States.

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BJP MLA calls 102-yr-old freedom fighter a Pak agent, protesters demand apology

Politics

The Prajadhikara Horata Samiti is holding a satyagraha at Maurya Circle for 10 days demanding Basanagouda Patil Yatnal apologise to HS Doreswamy.

Alithea Stephanie Mounika

Several political and social groups under an umbrella group -- Prajadhikara Horata Samiti, organised a protest in Bengaluru's Maurya Circle on Monday demanding that BJP MLA from Vijayapura Basanagouda Patil Yatnal take back his statement about 102-year-old freedom fighter HS Doreswamy. The MLA had called the former freedom fighter a Pakistani agent for protesting against CAA and NRC.  "Take back your statement Yatnal", "Down, down, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal," were the slogans raised at the protest. Members of CPI(M), Dalit Sangharshan Samiti, Gram SevaSangh, Doreswamy Fans' Association and various other social groups who have been holding a sathyagraha against Yatnal from February 26. They say the Satyagraha would continue for more days.  Doreswamy is a 102-year-old freedom fighter and has been a part of several protests in Karnataka, when other parties were in power too. He has been vocal in his opinions against the ruling BJP government's move to enact the Citizenship Amendment Act. He was involved in the freedom struggle during the Quit India movement and has been a part of various citizen-driven movements in Bengaluru including ones for sustainable water management. On February 25, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal had called Doreswamy a Pakistani agent. Speaking to the media, he had said, "There are many fake freedom fighters. There is one in Bengaluru. Now we have to say what Doreswamy is. Where is that old man? He behaves like a Pakistan agent." Yatnal had called Doreswamy a Pakistani agent after the freedom fighter took part in several protests and public meetings against the Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Indian Citizens earlier in February.  The Congress had demanded an apology from Yatnal immediately and demanded that the BJP ask him to resign. Yatnal, however, continued his attack against Doreswamy and on February 29, speaking at an event in Chikkamagaluru, he said, "“When everyone is demanding proof of the Balakot airstrike, there is nothing wrong in me demanding proof from Doreswamy. His acts clearly state he is against Gandhian ideals.”  

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'CJ asked me to cut ribbon!', Attender elated over inaugurating court complex in K'taka

Court

The chief guest was Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Abhay Sreeniwas Oka but he decided to step aside for Jayaraj, the senior most attender in the Chikkaballapura court.

Prajwal Bhat

Jayaraj Trimurthy was present for the inauguration of the newly constructed three storeyed court building in Chikkaballapura. There was little chance of the attender missing the event having been ever-present at the court in Chikkaballapura over the last twelve years.  But to his surprise, he was asked to cut the ribbon and inaugurate the newly constructed court building in a heartwarming gesture atypical of a judiciary event.   The chief guest of the inauguration was Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Abhay Sreeniwas Oka but he decided to step aside for Jayaraj, the senior most attender in the Chikkaballapura court and asked him to inaugurate the building by cutting the ribbon.  The Chief Justice's gesture was hailed by advocates and members of the public present at the inauguration ceremony in Chikkaballapura as a step towards bridging the gap between workers in the judiciary. Medical Education Minister and Chikkaballapura MLA K Sudhakar was present and he was left pleasantly surprised by the turn of events.  Jayaraj says he was surprised at being called up to inaugurate the building. " In front of the Chief Justice I was asked to cut the ribbon!," Jayaraj told TNM. Jayaraj, who has been working in the Chikkaballapura court for 12 years, said that he was elated to be honoured in this fashion. "I was very happy to cut the ribbon. I am going to retire this year, which is why they asked me to do it,"Jayaraj said.  Jayaraj's native place is Eelam village near Kolar and has worked at the courts in Kolar, Mulbagal and KGF before working at the Chikkaballapura court in 2007. In the last 12 years, he has been a constant presence in the district court premises under various judges. His work in the court includes calling out names of witnesses and accused persons, a duty he is proud to carry out. He also arranges files in the court.  In November 2019, the South Western Railway (SWR) did a similar gesture when officials called upon the daughter of a labourer to inaugurate an escalator installation project at the Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna station in Bengaluru. The inauguration of the escalator was hampered by the imposition of section 144 due to the verdict in the Babri Masjid case in the Supreme Court but in a move that earned praise, officials continued with the inauguration by asking a 10-year-old daughter of a labourer to cut the ribbon.    

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Karnataka govt doctor faces departmental inquiry for being allegedly drunk on duty

Controversy

The doctor was apparently found drinking inside the staff room when family members of a patient barged in after failing to get a response.

TNM Staff

A Karnataka doctor at a government hospital is in trouble after he allegedly consumed liquor while on duty and will now face a departmental inquiry. The accused has been identified as  Dr Channakeshava.  The incident of the doctor being inebriated while at work came to light on Saturday after staff at the Government Community Hospital in Ajjampura taluk in Chikmagaluru district could not get a response from Dr Channakeshava.  According to The TImes of India, the accused doctor was found drinking inside the staff room when family members of a patient barged in after failing to get any response. Angry with him, the patient’s attendants shot a video of the doctor after stripping him. TOI quoted  Dr S Mallikarjunappa, district health officer, Chikkamagaluru as saying that an inquiry will be initiated and disciplinary action will be taken once the probe is over.  Family members of the patient, who was declared brought dead by the hospital staff, staged a protest over the apparent lack of treatment, prompting the police to clear the area. However, police did not register a medical negligence case as they came to the conclusion that the doctor was not responsible for the patient’s fate. Deccan Herald quoted the Taluk Medical Officer, Dr Chandrasekhar as saying that he has asked Dr Channakesva to go on forced leave and he will visit the health centre himself on Monday. Based on his probe, he will recommend further action against the accused. In 2011, a doctor in Kolkata was suspended for showing up to work drunk. The doctor was caught by family members of a patient which led them to hold a protest at the hospital building. The doctor at the time admitted to having been drunk on duty to apparently get relief from a foot pain.

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