Members of the Tamil film fraternity met Governor Banwarilal Purohit at the Raj Bhavan on Wednesday over the formation of the Cauvery Management Board. A memorandum bearing the signatures of the 5,000 people who took part in the silent protest organised last month was also submitted to the governor.
Speaking to TNM, the Nadigar Sangam President, actor Nassar, said that the Governor responded positively, assuring him that the board will be formed within the next two weeks.
The Governor’s words came as the Centre sought another extension to draft the water sharing scheme for the formation of the Cauvery Water Management Board. The Supreme Court had last month slammed the government for not framing the scheme in six weeks as directed by it nor approaching the court prior to the March 31 deadline to convey any difficulties being faced by it.
In light of this, the Opposition lashed out at the Governor calling him an agent for the BJP.
The DMK spokesperson A Saravanan said, "This statement clearly shows that tomorrows happenings are pre-determined. The Cauvery Management Board will not be formed for the next two weeks, as the Centre wants it. They are hell-bent that nothing happen before the Karnataka elections. The Governor is acting as an agent of the BJP and forgotten he is a constitutional functionary."
Addressing the Thoothukudi Sterlite plant issue, Nassar said that the Governor has called for stricter rules in the setting-up of such industries. “The Governor also said that the people should become more aware in this regard,” he added.
Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) President Vishal, TFPC Honorary Secretary Kathiresan, FEFSI Chief RK Selvamani, Nadigar Sangam Vice-President Ponvannan, Directors Association President Vikraman had accompanied Nassar.
On April 8, the Nadigar Sangam came out in support of the two burning issues in Tamil Nadu -- the Cauvery Water Management Board and the Sterlite plant in Thoothukudi. Several actors and artistes held silent protests at Chennai’s Valluvar Kottam, hoping to move the Centre into action.
The protest, observed from 9am to 1pm, saw many actors in attendance, including Vijay, Dhanush, Surya, Vivekh and Siva Karthikeyan. Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth, both of whom recently plunged into politics, were also in attendance. Several Nadigar Sangam functionaries, including its president Nassar and general secretary Vishal, too attended the protest.
Several members from the Tamil film industry have been vocal in supporting the formation of the Cauvery Water Management Board. Seeman, along with directors Bharathiraja, Ameer and other allied parties, had formed a Forum for Welfare of Tamil Art and Literature that will fight for causes such as the Cauvery water. The group also protested against IPL matches being held in Chennai, saying that it should not divert attention from the important issues in the state.