Tension in Tumakuru: Farmers protest over Hemavati water diversion amid Sec 144 imposition

Tumkur district is witnessing intense unrest as farmers and political leaders protest the Hemavati Express Link Canal project, alleging that it threatens the region’s crucial water supply. Clashes broke out in Nittur, Gubbi taluk, near the Anjaneyaswamy temple, where hundreds defied prohibitory orders under Section 144, which has been enforced in a 10-km radius around the Sunkapura canal site.

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Farmers’ organizations, along with BJP leaders, including MLA Suresh Gowda, Jyoti Ganesh, District BJP President Ravi Shankar, and Farmers’ Association President Govindaraju, led the protests. They accused the state government of undermining Tumkur’s irrigation rights and suppressing farmers' concerns. The demonstrators blocked highways, escalating tension in the area despite heavy police deployment.

The agitation stems from the government’s plan to divert 0.75 TMC of Hemavati water to Magadi taluk under the Sriranga Etha Irrigation Project. Protesters argue this move lacks a fresh water allocation and unfairly draws from Tumkur’s share of 24 TMC per year from the Gorur Dam—an allocation they claim has never been fully delivered.

Critics of the project point out that water could have been routed naturally to Magadi via Kunigal, avoiding pipelines that risk cutting off supply to Kunigal and other taluks. Hemavati River is Tumkur district’s sole water source, vital for drinking and irrigation in towns such as Tumkur, Gubbi, Turuvekere, Tiptur, Chikkanayakanahalli, and Shira.

Protesters warn that the canal project threatens the region’s water security. With no alternative river sources, they have vowed to continue their resistance, declaring, “Hemavati water will not be given—even if it costs our lives.”