Kerala toughens stance following central govt's decision; Mullaperiyar dispute intensifies

Kerala is up in arms against the central government abrupt decision to remove its representative from the crucial five-member Comprehensive Dam Safety Evaluation Committee (CDSEC) for the Mullaperiyar Dam. The move, made public on June 21, 2026, and reportedly under pressure from Tamil Nadu, has intensified the decades-long inter-state dispute, with Kerala slamming the unilateral action as a blow to transparency and cooperative federalism. The state's water resources minister has demanded immediate reinstatement, arguing the decision weakens Kerala voice in an issue directly impacting millions downstream. This latest flashpoint erupts as the 130-year-old Mullaperiyar Dam, located in Kerala but operated by Tamil Nadu, remains a deeply contentious issue. Kerala has consistently raised alarms over the dam's structural integrity and advocated for a new dam, while the new Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government, having stated its firm opposition to a new dam on June 18, 2026, insists the existing structure is safe and vital for its southern districts' water needs. The CDSEC, established earlier this year under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, was meant to provide an independent safety assessment, making Kerala exclusion particularly problematic for proving its safety concerns. The central government justification for replacing Kerala nominee, T.K. Sivarajan, with M.L. Sharma from Uttar Pradesh citing 'personal issues,' has been swiftly rejected by Kerala. With Kerala vehemently protesting the central government unilateral decision and threatening to take the matter directly to the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, the already strained relations between the states and the Centre are set for a fresh test. The integrity of the CDSEC upcoming safety report, crucial for a dam whose issue is currently under Supreme Court consideration, is now under question without Kerala representation. Watch for Kerala next steps, including potential legal challenges or further political escalation, as the battle for dam safety and water security continues to unfold.