The fragile peace between people Tamil Nadu and Karnataka hangs on the knife’s edge, the fringe elements stoking the fire over the water share discord. The TV crews are rushing to cover and increase their TRPs.
I recall a similar situation, when a noted author from Bangladesh was coming over to Kolkata, spontaneously sparking protests in many parts of Kolkata. The administration acted swiftly and severely warned the TV channels of the consequences, in case of any escalation resulting from their broadcasts. The news papers too blacked-out all news regarding the incidence which otherwise had all the elements to explode into a major protest.
There would be continued skirmishes, over water, power and other major resources. Not too long back, oil shortages in the North East resulted in resentment against Delhi, as Bengal stopped movement of potatoes to Orissa due to acute shortage, hoarding and resultant spiraling of its prices. The Orissa government retorted with threats of holding up all trucks entering into Bengal from the southern states. Fortunately, wisdom of the leaders prevailed, before the issue reaching unmanageable proportions.
The problems become even more acute if two different political parties with varying stand rule the warring states. I wonder why the courts, which act sometimes with alacrity, tolerate vandalism and destruction of public property. The judiciary should come out and warn the government as well sternly punishes the mischief mongers.
Any disruption of any state within the Indian Union will make the nation vulnerable at a critical juncture and severely dent the dreams of ‘Make in India.’ Those who are rioting are anti-nationals and are no less than any terrorists and should be treated as such. The government happy to slap sedition charges at the drop of a hat should slap sedition charges against scoundrels who cause losses of crores of rupees.
More than politicians, we need a statesman in our country, urgently and now, to whom the nation will listen to.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide voix
S S Kumar 
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