Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan join protests for Cauvery water

The Tamil film industry, toplined by actor-politicians Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, observed a silent protest on Sunday to demand the setting up of the Cauvery Management Board amid calls for organisers to stop Indian Premier League games in Chennai. Rajinikanth said that the plight of the farmers due to severe shortage of water should be understood. Earlier, Kamal Haasan too had opposed hosting IPL matches in Chennai. This is the first time that Rajinikanth spoke out on the issue. Cauvery water is the reason for long-standing dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Recently, Tamil farmers protested at the Cauvery river bank demanding the formation of Cauvery Management Board.