It is heartening to hear Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant asserting that whoever may be involved on the other side, he will protect the interests of Goa in the Mhadei water diversion case. As effigies of narkasura were being erected across the State in preparation for the traditional burning of the demon, Sawant speaking in Margao said, “On the night of Diwali, I hereby say that the interests of Goa will be paramount and no other interests, be it political, would be given importance before the interests of Goa.” These are strong assertions from a chief minister who faces an uphill task in protecting the State’s interests in the river water diversion.
But let that not be mere rhetoric. Statements made in Goa in a public forum are far different from standing firm at the negotiation table in New Delhi. There is a BJP government in Karnataka and a BJP government at the Centre, can Sawant who is also heading a BJP government in Goa, convince New Delhi and Bengaluru that the interests of Goa are more important than those of larger neighbouring Southern State? In these circumstances, one can’t help but recall the incident when former chief minister Manohar Parrikar wrote to BJP Karnataka leader B S Yeddyurappa in 2017 agreeing ‘on humanitarian’ grounds to consider Karnataka’s demand for drinking water in the northern areas of the State.
This letter had caused quite an uproar in the State, and also in Karnataka. It had been written after Parrikar’s meeting with the BJP top brass in New Delhi, and when the matter was still being heard by the tribunal. Yeddyurappa, at that time was leader of the opposition in Karnataka, and the State was preparing for an election. The entire episode had strong political overtones. Given this background, Sawant would probably require all the support he can muster among the political parties and even from beyond that. It hasn’t been political parties that have been defended the Mhadei. It has always been the people. There are many NGOs – the Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan, that took the fight to the courts, being the prime among them, and Goencho Avaaz that of late has been taking up various issues – that too have to be roped in to strengthen Goa’s claims over the river water.
Politics on Mhadei have been played out a lot in the past, with party leaders accusing each other of sacrificing the State’s interests at various points of time. This too now appears to be heading in a similar direction, and at such a crucial point of time is unwarranted. This is not the time and this is not the issue to play politics with, as the stakes are high. Yes, Goa was caught unawares by the Centre’s sudden environmental approval to the Kalsa Banduri project which involves the building of dams over the river, but rather than call this into question, the efforts have to be trained into ensuring that the approval letter is withdrawn. It is after this achieved, that the political witchhunting and oneumanship can begin and be played out.
What is more important is the coming together of all the parties and activists on one platform to let the Centre and Karnataka know that where the Mhadei is concerned, Goa speaks in one voice, and that it will never allow the waters of the river to be diverted. That’s the message that has to go out to the Centre loudly and clearly. It can happen if, on this one issue, political differences are kept aside and all join hands in one massive show of strength. Can Goa do this for the Mhadei, for the river on whose waters it survives? It isn’t much to ask for, but may be a lot to expect from the political class.
By the time you read this, a day after Diwali, the festival break will perhaps have led to the Mhadei momentarily having secondary importance. But just as the narkasurs have been consigned to the flames in an act of burning away the darkness of the demons and ushering in the new light, there is perhaps need of a new light in the direction the State has to take on Mhadei. If this Diwali has been able to bring about this new thinking, then the Mhadei can be safeguarded.
