In a novel protest, farmers affiliated to the Thamizhaga Vivasaya Sangam offered ‘Aadi Padayal’ at the collectorate here today protesting the release of water by the State government for ‘Aadi Perukku’ festival and not for irrigation.

Farmers of the Delta region are aggrieved as they have lost kuruvai cultivation for the fifth successive year due to non release of water by Karnataka.

The farmers led by Thamizhaga Vivasaya Sangam state vice-president R. Sugumaran, walked out of the agriculture grievance redressal meeting at the Collector’s office and performed ‘Aadi Padayal’ ritual at the premises. They protested release of Cauvery water for the ‘Aadi Perukku’ festival on August 2, but not for irrigation.

“As Karnataka has not released Cauvery water that is due to Tamil Nadu, even samba cultivation has become uncertain now. By releasing water for the festival, one cannot produce food,” Sugumaran said.

He said that water storage was good in all the dams in Karnataka and urged Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to take measures to get 35 tmcft water from Karnataka that is due for Tamil Nadu.