By : Rohann kumar K
Kolar, Karnataka: They say water is life. In Kolar, once known as the land with the highest density of water reservoirs in Asia, water is now a memory—buried under concrete, corruption, and the arrogance of power.
In a district that boasts over 4,000 historic tanks, a shocking reality has unfolded. The very guardians of the law—the District Administration, Ministers, and Police officials—have turned predators. The majestic Kolaramma Lake, a centuries-old heritage that quenched the thirst of thousands, has been strangled.
The Ghost of D.K. Ravi Watches Years ago, a brave son of India, Deputy Commissioner D.K. Ravi, stood on this very soil and said “No.” He saw the land sharks and politicians eyeing the lake beds for “Community Buildings” and “Offices.” He used his pen to issue orders stopping these illegal constructions, upholding the Supreme Court’s mandate that water bodies are untouchable. The people of Kolar saw a savior.
But today, that savior is gone. And in a heinous display of apathy, the current administration has not only ignored his orders but celebrated their violation.
The Inauguration of Shame Recently, citizens watched in horror as a Community Building, constructed illegally on the lake bound area, was inaugurated. Who cut the ribbon? Not a land mafia don, but the District Commissioner, a Minister, and high-ranking Police officers.
- The Irony: They stood on illegal ground to inaugurate a building meant for “public development,” while destroying the “public trust” entrusted to them by the Constitution.
- The Law: The Supreme Court in Hinch Lal Tiwari v. Kamala Devi ruled that a lake bed must remain a lake bed forever. By concreting it, these officials have not just broken a local rule; they have assaulted the Supreme Court of India.
A Failure of Democracy When the fence starts eating the crop, who will save the farm?
- Why are salaries paid to officials who use their power to legalize illegality?
- Why is the “development” of a building more important than the water security of future generations?
This is not just about a building. It is a signal that the Constitution is weak in Kolar. It is a message to the land mafia that if you wait long enough, even the honest orders of a hero like D.K. Ravi can be erased.
The Call to Action We cannot let the Constitution die in Kolar’s dry lake beds. The people must rise. We demand:
- Immediate Demolition of all structures (Government or Private) on the Kolaramma and other tank beds, as per SC orders.
- Prosecution of the officials who allowed this inauguration despite existing stop-orders.
- Restoration of Kolar’s glory as the land of lakes.
If we remain silent today, tomorrow they will build on our graves, and there will be no water left to wash the sins of this administration.
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