India is dealing with a critical, multidimensional issue: water scarcity, with multivariate contribution to the strain on this key resource. India's enormous population places immense pressure on the country's water supplies. While the Indian population growth rate has been steadily ascending from its 0.7% in 2022 to 0.8% in 2023, and 0.92% in 2024 and is projected to be at 1.2% by 2030, with an estimated population in the range of 1.55 billion, an increase of 110 million people as compared to 2024. Secondly, the processes of industry and urbanisation have aggravated the water situation. Industrial expansion and the influx of people into metropolitan areas have rapidly increased water demand, pressurising already restricted resources. Mumbai, being the financial capital, has attracted migrant labour, while cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad, renowned for IT and startups, have also seen marked increase in population. Other developing cities like Ahmedabad, Chennai and Pune too have avenues for economic prosperity, drawing in population. This mass migration has stressed the limited water supply to these cities. Thirdly, the consequences of climate change have made the crucial monsoon rains more unpredictable and unevenly distributed. While places like Jaisalmer experience drought and frequent shortages of rain, other cities like Mawsynram and Cherrapunji are some of the rainiest in the world, receiving about 1000 cm of rain per monsoon season,

The water scarcity crisis in India would have severe consequences for the Indian people. India has only 4% of the world's fresh water resources despite having over 1.55 billion people. Nearly 200,000 people are dying every year due to inadequate access to safe water. The agricultural sector, which uses 80% of India's water, would also be severely impacted, threatening food security. Overall, the economic cost of water scarcity could be as high as 6% of India's GDP, leading to migration and conflicts. Just 2 months prior to the calling of this session, people from 3 villages in Central Maharashtra came together to launch a campaign against the government because of their inadequate efforts in bringing water to the region. Their slogans were clamped on to by social media, bringing more coverage to the topic. The villagers were heard yelling slogans along the lines of, “Should we quench the thirst of our children with our tears? Should we quench the thirst of our crops with our blood? Who else’s thirst should we quench before we can quench our own?”

The Ganga River, revered as the Mother Goddess Ganga in Hinduism, holds immense religious significance for millions of Indians who believe in its purifying properties. Recent scientific data from November 19, 2028, reveals a concerning pH level of approximately 6.1, indicating increased acidity attributed to pollution from sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff. This pollution not only harms the river but also poses risks to surrounding populations and ecosystems. Downstream contamination threatens farmers' livelihoods, leading to protests and potential economic disruptions. Traditional practices like bathing in the Ganga for spiritual cleansing have been compromised by waterborne diseases, skin irritations, and digestive issues among devotees, sometimes resulting in fatalities. The acidic water has also had detrimental effects on the diverse aquatic life in the Ganga, home to numerous fish and amphibian species. Studies show that a pH below 6 can be fatal to many freshwater organisms. The high acidity has further impacted the livelihoods of the 400 million people reliant on the Ganga basin. Restoring the river's pH balance to around 7.4 is crucial for safeguarding public health and the environment.

A study published on December 19, 2028, highlighted the significant role of Muslim-owned tanneries in Kanpur in polluting the Ganges. This led to media attention associating religion with the pollution issue, sparking calls from Hindu activists for government reforms to control tannery pollution. Muslims expressed concerns over economic marginalisation, citing recent regulations by the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board and the UP Jal Nigam that impacted tanneries. Mirza International Limited Tannery and Super Tannery, prominent Muslim-owned tanneries, faced a tragic incident on January 19, 2029, when their corporate offices and factories were destroyed in coordinated attacks using homemade pipe bombs. The attackers, masked and shouting "Shivaji ke naam mein," remain unidentified. Media and politicians suggested Hindu extremists were behind the attacks due to tensions over Ganga pollution, leading to protests from both Muslim and Hindu communities seeking compensation and stricter regulations on polluting industries. While individuals are entitled to their beliefs, it is crucial to avoid actions that could inflame communal tensions and lead to violence. The authorities must take steps to maintain law and order and ensure that the rights of all citizens are protected.

In the Krishna Water Dispute, conflict between Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana emerged due to disagreements regarding the allocation of water amongst the states. Although a tribunal passed a decision, the party states were unsatisfied. On 2nd July, 2025, surveys by the government of Telangana, in cooperation with the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation found massive oil reserves below a part of the Krishna River flowing through the state. A project to divert the course of the river through construction of diversion dams was approved by the Supreme Court, and its work began, despite protests from environmentalists, who cited ecological imbalance and geological damage. 4 years later, these concerns have materialised, with a large amount of biodiversity at risk. Animal and plant species are threatened with endangerment and dislocation, and natural biodiversity and forest cover has been lost.

The Cauvery River Dispute is a long-running controversy between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala. The tribunal's decision in 2007 did not bring a final resolution, leading to further legal battles and ongoing disputes over water allocation. Karnataka lobbies for a bigger share as the upper riparian state, whilst Tamil Nadu insists on equal distribution for its agricultural and household needs as the lower riparian state. The Mekedatu Reservoir Project was proposed as a viable solution and redoubling of its construction was approved by the Supreme Court on September 2nd, 2028.The structure has been in construction at the point that this session of the Lok Sabha has been called, however, there have been multiple protests and riots against the construction of this reservoir as it will harm the population of Tamil Nadu, whereas Karnataka, will become free from its annual water crisis. The effects of the issue have gained massive amounts of traction on social media.

Amongst the myriad calamities described, one axiom remains resolute. If India does not devote immediate action into conserving and restoring its water resources, then it will drown in the consequences of its long drawn ill treatment of water. Agriculture will be ruined, industry will decline, rural areas will be devoid of water and disease and drought will be rampant.

Will India be able to come to a comprehensive resolution and conserve its water resources, and secure the future of the coming generations? Or will the precious water that flows through Indian terrain and has built up the very land on which civilization has flourished, prove to be the cause of the downfall of the country, and bring the world’s largest population to suffering? The answer lies in the hands of you Members of the Indian Parliament on this 13th Day of March, 2029. 
Jai Hind!