Cauvery water dispute: Tweets by Shaw, Ramya cause flutter on Twitter

Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw's tweet over Friday's bandh, landed her in a controversy. Her followers used her tweet against the bandh to criticise her. But by the end of the day Ms Shaw was able to clear the air by publishing a series of new tweets in support of the bandh. Ms Shaw issued a clarification on her controversial tweet by stating that Karnataka's needs come before Cauvery. She added that she hoped both state governments would resolve this protracted  dispute amicably. She made it clear, “We are observing the bandh in solidarity with the people and farmers of Karnataka who are facing water challenges. Hope the two states resolve this dispute amicably.” Earlier, when her first tweet sparked indignation she deleted it. But when her followers on twitter questioned why she had deleted it she replied, “Because it was misinterpreted. I have only commented on non- violent dispute resolution and people are distorting it. Please read my message without believing the media twist. I have always stood by the farmers and people of Karnataka.” Kannada actress and Congress leader Ms. Divya Spandana (Ramya) also landed in trouble over her latest tweet on the bandh. Undeterred, she hit back at her detractors, by telling them to “stop misinterpreting, misquoting and spreading lies. If you can't understand, ask –I will clarify. I have the patience to help you understand.”

Ms. Ramya also stated, "I am using social media to communicate directly with people because I can't rely on the media to be fair to me, as many of you have pointed out." She continued, "Our government kept their word and released water for drinking and irrigation, and as the pictures show, farmers were back in the fields," she added. She added, “My work involves making sure our farmers have water for irrigation. Karnataka CM has already released water for this..”

Bandhaluru! Shaw says misunderstood, apologises
Industry icon Kiran Mazumdar Shaw earned the wrath of the pro-Cauvery activists on Friday after she described Bengaluru as having turned into a Bandhaluru - or home of bandhs. As the social media erupted in anger and threatened to lay siege to her Biocon facility, she took the twitter message off the page and apologised. “I express my solidarity with Karnataka, its people and farmers who are facing acute water challenges. Karnataka's needs from Cauvery water must be addressed first. I  have expressed the need to address the water dispute through amicable discussion and dialogue between the two Governments.

Violence and Bandhs only harm the common man as he cannot go out to earn a living. Businesses lose out because of the impact on productivity, while the state’s image gets tarnished. That’s why I believe peaceful dialogue is the best way forward. My tweets on this subject have been misunderstood, I have utmost love and respect for my fellow citizens,” Ms Shaw said.