Cauvery Management Board protest goes online

The anger over delay in formation of the Cauvery Management Board has spilled onto social media with the #EyesMouthShutChallenge, as thousands of netizens are posting photos blindfolded and a gesture of silence, indicating that the central and state governments have turned a blind eye and deaf ear to the needs of the state’s farmers.

The campaign, started at noon on Tuesday by independent filmmaker Mohan G and went viral. 

Speaking to DT Next, the director said, “There was a lot of public anger at the lack of action on this issue, as the delay in the formation of the board will threaten the food security of the state. People are worried that something as basic as food will have to be imported, because farming is hit due to lack of water supply. In addition, the farming community is under duress. While protests are happening across Tamil Nadu, there are hundreds who want to support the cause. When I started the campaign for a silent protest, by end of Tuesday evening, we had 6,000 tweets and countless hits on Facebook,” he said,” he said. 

“I have been in the industry for the last six years and was a part of the Jallikattu protests too. I think that could have contributed to the campaign going viral,” the director said, hoping that the central and state governments act to protest the interests of farmers and people of Tamil Nadu.