Black flags and swarms of protesters greeted Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister arrived in Chennai on Thursday, 12 April.
The hashtag #GoBackModi trended worldwide, as protesters took to the streets to demand the constitution of the Cauvery Management Board. The PM was in Mahabalipuram for the day, to inaugurate a four-day exhibition Defence Expo India 2018.
Led by leaders from the opposition parties, protesters raised black flags and released black balloons to mark their dissent.
Protesters took out demonstrations despite extensive police surveillance. A number of demonstrators were detained, including MDMK leader Vaiko, who was held by the city police in Saidapet.
Some protestors climbed atop billboards outside the Chennai airport and waved flags and shouted slogans to protest PM Modi’s visit.
DMK supremo Karunanidhi also extended his support to the protests by donning a black t-shirt while at his residence.
Tamil Nadu has seen weeks of protest over the Centre’s failure to follow the Supreme Court’s directive to constitute a Cauvery Management Board by 31 March.
The SC had ordered that the board be constituted to oversee the allocation of water from the river to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. On 10 April, the apex court pulled up the centre over the issue. The Centre is expected to file a reply on 3 May.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)