Farmers from Tamil Nadu will descend on New Delhi on 23 June to demand that the Union government reject Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu dam on the Cauvery River, in what is shaping up as one of the largest farmer-led agitations on an inter-state water dispute in recent years. The announcement followed a state committee meeting of the Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers Association held in Tiruvarur on 16 June.

What Farmers Plan to Do

According to the association, farmers representing various organisations from districts across Tamil Nadu will participate in a march and lay siege to the headquarters of the Central Water Resources Department in the national capital. Association General Secretary P.R. Pandian said the protest would send an unambiguous message to the Centre that Tamil Nadu remains firmly opposed to the Mekedatu project.

Pandian stated that construction of a dam at Mekedatu without Tamil Nadu's concurrence would undermine the interests of downstream farmers and erode the state's rightful share of Cauvery waters.

Why Tamil Nadu Opposes the Project

The association contends that the proposed reservoir could adversely affect water availability in Tamil Nadu and pose a serious threat to agriculture in the Cauvery Delta region, where lakhs of farmers depend on the river for irrigation. It alleged that Karnataka has been advancing plans for the project despite strong and consistent objections from Tamil Nadu.

The Mekedatu dispute has simmered for several years, with farmers' organisations in the delta districts arguing that any new upstream storage structure could reduce water flows critical to irrigation downstream. This is the latest in a series of escalations by Tamil Nadu farmer groups on the issue.

Demands on State Government

The farmers' body also called upon Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to take all necessary legal and administrative steps to prevent the project from materialising. The association said the state government must act decisively to safeguard Tamil Nadu's water rights and protect the livelihoods of farmers in the Cauvery basin.

Separately, farmers at the meeting expressed hope that the ruling dispensation would fulfil its electoral promise of a comprehensive farm loan waiver, with an announcement expected during the forthcoming Assembly session.

Other Resolutions Passed

Beyond the Mekedatu issue, the meeting adopted a resolution opposing Indian Oil Corporation's proposed hydrocarbon exploration project off the coast of Parangipettai. The association flagged concerns over its potential environmental impact on coastal communities, fishermen, and agricultural livelihoods in the region.

What Happens Next

All eyes now turn to 23 June, when the scale of farmer participation in New Delhi will test the political weight the agitation can bring to bear on the Centre. Whether the Union government responds — or signals its position on Mekedatu — before the protest could determine the next phase of this long-running inter-state water conflict.