Farmers’ Organizations Declare Willingness to Sacrifice Lives to Protect KRS Dam: A Growing Outcry Against Alleged Privatisation

In a deeply emotional and determined stand, various farmers’ organizations in Karnataka have issued a resolute warning—they are ready to sacrifice their lives to safeguard the historic Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) Dam from any attempt at privatization or governmental negligence. The strong statement came during a public protest that underscored the increasing unrest and distrust among the farming communities of the Cauvery basin region.

This protest is not just a symbolic act of resistance. It represents the decades-long relationship between the farmers and the KRS Dam—a lifeline for thousands of acres of agricultural land, a cultural landmark, and a symbol of water sovereignty in Karnataka.

The KRS Dam: Lifeblood of the Cauvery Basin

Constructed in the early 20th century under the visionary leadership of Sir M. Visvesvaraya and the Mysore Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, the KRS Dam is one of the oldest and most vital irrigation projects in southern India. It plays a critical role in supplying water to Mandya, Mysuru, and surrounding regions for both drinking and agricultural use.

The reservoir, built across the river Cauvery in Mandya district, is essential for paddy cultivation, sugarcane farming, and vegetable production—supporting thousands of farming families who have been reliant on its water for generations.

Allegations of Privatization and Growing Distrust

The recent uproar stems from allegations that the government is either considering or indirectly allowing moves to privatize or hand over portions of the dam’s maintenance, management, or associated resources to private entities. Farmers and activists claim such decisions, if carried out, would not only put water access at risk but also disrupt the delicate ecological and social balance of the region.

Leaders of several farmers’ organizations have claimed that any shift toward privatization would amount to “selling off the people’s property” and termed it a betrayal of the farming community’s trust. While the government has denied any such intentions officially, the ambiguity and lack of transparency have only intensified public suspicion.

Farmers’ Protests: A Battle for Water and Dignity

The protest held near the dam site saw hundreds of farmers, activists, and local leaders gather in a show of solidarity. Many of them carried placards declaring “KRS Belongs to Farmers” and “We’ll Give Our Lives, Not Our Water.” The emotional temperature was high, with speeches recalling the sacrifices made during earlier Cauvery water disputes and the historical importance of KRS as a people’s project—not a commercial asset.

One protest leader thundered, “We will not allow a single drop of water to be sold. We are prepared to die here before that happens.” Others accused politicians of playing with the future of farmers for short-term gains and called for mass mobilization to keep up the pressure.

Voices of the Grassroots

Beyond the slogans and demonstrations, the deeper concern lies in a recurring fear among farmers—that rural voices are being systematically ignored in decisions concerning vital resources. As India moves toward greater industrialization and urbanization, many rural communities feel that their fundamental rights, including access to water, are being compromised.

Women farmers present at the protest also raised concerns about the long-term impact of water scarcity and economic displacement, pointing out that privatization often leads to price hikes, limited access, and loss of control over local resources.

Several speakers highlighted the need for water equity and called for a statewide movement to oppose all forms of water commodification.

Legal and Political Dimensions

The KRS Dam has historically been at the center of water-sharing conflicts between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Any move that alters the structure of water governance around the dam could not only upset local sentiments but also risk inflaming inter-state tensions.

Activists are now calling for legislative protection of key water bodies like KRS, to ensure they are never subject to commercial control or lease-based arrangements. Legal experts backing the protest suggested filing public interest litigations (PILs) to preempt any covert attempts at privatization.

Politically, opposition parties have started weighing in on the matter, demanding that the state government issue a white paper clarifying its stance and affirming that KRS will remain a public asset.

Demands Put Forth by Farmers

The farmers’ unions issued a detailed list of demands during the protest, including:

• A formal and legally binding declaration from the government that KRS Dam will not be privatized in any form.

• Formation of an independent farmers’ oversight committee to monitor decisions related to major irrigation projects.

• Audit and public disclosure of any MoUs, tenders, or proposals involving the KRS Dam or its infrastructure.

• Restoration and modernization of existing irrigation channels without involving private contractors.

• Assurance that the interests of local farmers will be prioritized in all policy decisions related to water distribution.

Echoes from the Past: A Repeat of Historic Resistance?

Many observers have drawn parallels between this current movement and the famous farmers’ struggles in other parts of the country. From the anti-dam movements in Narmada to recent farm law protests, the issue of control over natural resources has often brought rural India to the forefront of national discourse.

The passion seen at the KRS protest demonstrates once again that when water, land, and livelihood are threatened, farmers are prepared to stand their ground—come what may.

What Lies Ahead?

For now, the government’s response remains cautious. While official sources deny any plan to privatize the dam, the lack of explicit reassurances continues to fuel the agitation. Meanwhile, farmers’ groups are planning more protests, legal interventions, and public awareness campaigns to keep the issue alive in public memory and legislative debate.

The fate of the KRS Dam, it appears, is now not just a matter of policy—but of emotion, identity, and survival. The message from the farmers is clear: “This dam is not just a structure of stone and water. It is our life. And we will defend it with everything we have.”