Breaching reason

What was meant to be an ingenious solution devised by a British engineer,back in the late 19th century,to route the waters of the Periyar river to the rain-shadow regions of the Western Ghats,has morphed into a singular problem of recent times: the Mullaperiyar dam controversy. Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been grappling with the unusual scenario ever since borders were redrawn with the reorganisation of states the dam is in Kerala,while its ownership and the water flowing out of the reservoir go to Tamil Nadu. Unusually for riparian disagreements in the country,the dispute is not over the right to water; it is over the safety of the dam. Kerala insists the 115-year-old dam is in disrepair and wants a new one built; Tamil Nadu argues the existing dam has been reinforced and wants the water level raised from 136 ft to 142 ft,to howls of protest in Kerala. So much for the facts of the dispute.

For a resolution,common sense dictates the garnering of more and more solid,indisputable facts on the safety of the structure,the capacity of water it can hold,the seismic-retrofit it has and needs and if a new dam is indeed required. However,what has been washed down the river is every semblance of rationality. Politicians on both sides have taken a maximalist stance and turned the issue,which concerns the safety and livelihood of the people in the two neighbouring states,into a hysterical rallying cry for mobilisations and point-scoring. This is no longer about building opinion or stacking up arguments,but an unabashed public rhetoric that takes many colours from curtailing the right to freedom of expression to painting apocalyptic scenarios to calling for water wars. Tamil Nadu banned the movie Dam 999 for its allusion to the controversy. MDMK leader Vaiko warned of an economic blockade if Kerala persisted with its demand. Keralas Water Resources Minister P.J. Joseph jabbed about nightmares of 30 lakh people being washed away. This is where political parties in both states have liberally flexed their muscles to appeal to their limited constituencies.

A rational and sustainable settlement to this complex and sensitive issue is required. The political leadership of the two states should take cognisance of that and lower tempers.