Fri May 30 14:37:08 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article based on that summary:
**Summary:**
Members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) protested in Belagavi against the Karnataka State government’s decision to divert water from the Hidkal dam on the Ghataprabha river to industrial areas in Dharwad. The protesters, led by Deepak Gudaganatti, the district president, marched to the Deputy Commissioner’s office, raising slogans and attempting to breach barricades. They submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, accusing the government of prioritizing industrialists over farmers and demanding the immediate withdrawal of the water diversion approval. They allege the project was initiated without proper approval and suspect hidden motives behind it. They warned of escalating protests if the project continues, emphasizing that Belagavi’s water resources are already being diverted to Hubballi-Dharwad.
**News Article:**
**Water Diversion Sparks Fiery Protest in Belagavi; Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Accuses Government of Favoring Industry Over Farmers**
**Belagavi, May 30, 2025** – Tensions flared in Belagavi today as members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), a pro-Kannada organization, staged a vociferous protest against the state government’s decision to divert water from the Hidkal dam on the Ghataprabha river to industrial areas in Dharwad.
The protesters, some bare-chested and carrying empty pots, marched from Channamma circle to the Deputy Commissioner’s office, chanting slogans against the government and waving Kannada flags. The demonstration caused traffic disruption as protesters formed a human chain. Attempts to forcefully enter the Deputy Commissioner’s office were thwarted by police, who had erected barricades.
KRV leaders accused the government of prioritizing the interests of wealthy industrialists over the needs of local farmers, alleging the decision to allow industries to draw 45 million liters of water per day from the Hidkal dam would deprive agricultural communities of essential resources.
“This is like sucking out our life blood,” declared Deepak Gudaganatti, the district president of the KRV, who led the protest. He demanded the immediate revocation of the water diversion approval.
Protesters allege the ₹350 crore pipeline project was initiated without proper approvals and without informing local officials. They suspect there are hidden motivations driving the project. “Considering the haste and the manner in which the water diversion project is being implemented, we are suspicious of the motives behind it,” Gudaganatti said. “We suspect invisible forces behind this.”
The KRV has threatened to intensify the protests if the government does not halt the project. Gudaganatti emphasized that Belagavi’s water resources are already being diverted to the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad. “This is unacceptable,” he stated.
The Deputy Commissioner, Mohammad Roshan, received a memorandum from the protesters. The incident underscores the growing concerns over water resource management in Karnataka and the potential for conflict between industrial development and agricultural needs.
First Piper 