Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday issued a statement on the ongoing situation in Bengaluru, where violence erupted on Monday, following the revised order of the Supreme Court on the Cauvery river water issue.

Read: Cauvery crisis: 16 areas in Bengaluru put under curfew, what this means

These are the main points of the Minister’s statement:

I appeal to both the state governments to ensure people from other states are protected and take necessary action to stop violence.

I have a special appeal to the media, particularly to the electronic media to exercise restraint in reporting incidents of violence and not show the same visuals of arson as it might incite further violence.

You are a free media, and there is every right to freedom of expression/speech. But at the same time, you are also the citizens of the country. It is the combined responsibility of the government and media to protect social harmony.  

It is in the interest of the national unity and good relationship with neighbouring states, that peace must be restored.

I also appeal to the common man to maintain peace and harmony in the interest of national harmony and maintain good relationship with neighbours.

No common man has done anything wrong regarding the issue. But a court’s verdict has to be followed or the same has to be challenged further in the court of law. This is the only appeal I want to make.  

Also read:

It’s an undeclared bandh situation in Bengaluru as Cauvery protests intensify

Cauvery crisis: What Siddaramaiah and Jayalalithaa said in their letters to each other