Issues: Economy, Environment, Farmers, Human Rights, Law & Order

Region: Tamil Nadu, Other States

Category: Articles, Letters

10 December, 2011

Dear  Hon’ble  Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer avargal,

Vanakkam. I wish you all well. I would like to draw your kind attention to the following letter.

I have got very high regards and respects for you. I used to quote your valuable judgments.

Today, December 10th is the historical day of the universal declaration of human rights in 1948.

You have been championing the cause of human rights. We, Tamils are grateful to you, for your concern for the Eelam Tamils, who have faced the worst  genocide of humanity.

It was a privilege for me to share the dais with you on 1st May 1988 in London, in the seminar on Tamils of Sri Lanka.

You were kind enough to accept my invitation to participate in the seminar on State Autonomy at Chennai, organised by our MDMK Party, on 15th September 1996.

May I recall that you told me on that day, that as a cabinet minister of Kerala Government in 1957, you emphasized to provide required water from Kerala to Tamilnadu in exchange of rice, vegetables, fruits, milk from Tamilnadu.

I felt so happy to know your foresight and views.

But, I am terribly shocked and pained to read the news in the press that you joined hands with Mr. Achuthanandan, in a human chain with an ulterior motive to demolish the Mullaiperiyar Dam.

As a personality of knowledge and wisdom, you should have analysed the genuine reports of the two expert committees of Mittal and Brar, appointed by the apex court of India to ascertain the strength of the dam, which clearly established the fact that the dam built by Benny Quick is strong and safe, even before 1979.

After the strengthening measures implemented by the Tamilnadu Government with sophisticated technology, the dam could withstand an earthquake to the scale of 7 richters.

After hearing both sides, the three judge bench of the apex court gave a clear verdict on 27th February 2006, “permitting the water level of the Mullaiperiyar dam, being raised to 142 ft. and permit the state of Tamilnadu to carry out further strengthening measures, as suggested by the Central Water Commission. Also, the court directs that independent experts would examine the safety angle, before the water level to be raised to 152 ft. and the state of Kerala and its officers are restrained from causing any obstruction.”

Throwing this verdict into the dustbin, the Kerala Government enacted a legislation, empowering the Kerala River Water Authority, not only to maintain, but decommission the Mullaiperiyar Dam and also mentioned the maximum water level as 136 ft.

We, Tamils are not such people to derive water at the cost of the lives of the Kerala people. But, a fear psychosis is deliberately spread by vested political interests in Kerala, who are instigating people to resort to atrocious means to demolish the dam.

For argument sake, even if the dam breaks, the water will reach Idukki reservoir, having a capacity of 70 t.m.c. There is no threat to the lives of Kerala people.

We want fraternal relationship with Kerala. But, we are very much saddened to see the participation of a most respectful learned judge of your stature in the unjustifiable agitation.

I, on behalf of Tamils, would request you do to justice for both the states.

I have herewith enclosed the detailed explanation, given by the Tamilnadu Government as published by the Hindu dated 10th December 2011 and also a copy of the letter written by Mr RVS Vijayakumar, retired chief engineer of PWD Tamilandu to you on 27 July 2009.

With regards,

                                                                                                                Yours sincerely,

                                                                    (Vaiko)

Hon’ble Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer,
(Former Judge, Supreme Court),
“Satgamaya”,
Mahatma Gandhi Road,
Ernakulam,
Cochin - 682 001
Kerala