Bandh planned in Bengaluru on Tuesday

In protest against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, pro-Kannada organisations have called for a Bengaluru bandh on Tuesday. While it remains unclear how the bandh will disrupt normal life in the city, school associations have stated their moral support for the protest but have not declared a holiday, as school exams are currently underway.

Protesters have planned rallies in the city during the bandh. Meanwhile, a bandh was held in Mandya on Saturday.

The police department is on high alert and has made extensive security arrangements following protests in Bengaluru and other districts of South Karnataka on Saturday, opposing the government’s decision to release water to Tamil Nadu. Home Minister G Parameshwara has warned protesters not to disturb the law and order situation or damage public property during the protests.

Both the BJP and JD(S) have expressed their support for various farmers’ and Kannada organisations protesting against the Congress government.

BJP leader CT Ravi joined the protesters, along with former CM and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy. The bandh call received a strong response in Mandya district, with most shops, theaters, and commercial establishments remaining closed. Roadblocks have been reported in the region, and security has been heightened in Mysuru and Ramanagara districts.

In Bengaluru’s Central Business District, BJP staged protests at the Mysuru Bank Circle on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated on Friday that the government is committed to protecting the interests of farmers and urged protesters not to call for any bandh.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said, “We are there to protect the interest of the farmers of Karnataka. We have appealed to the authorities that no one should take the law into their hands. I appeal to them not to organise a ‘bandh’…We are there to support the interest of Karnataka…”

1. Members of Jaya Karnataka were arrested for lying on the road protesting against release of Cauvery water at Freedom Park on Saturday 2. BJP workers stage a protest in Bengaluru 3. Former CM HD Kumaraswamy visits the KRS reservoir

Simmering issue
Farmers across Karnataka have been protesting since the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) ordered the state to release 5,000 cusecs of water to neighboring Tamil Nadu for 15 days, starting from September 13. On Thursday, the Supreme Court declined to interfere with the CWMA order. The court stated that both the CWMA and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) meet and monitor water requirements every 15 days. As such, the court was not inclined to interfere with the order passed by the authority. The court also rejected an application by the Tamil Nadu government to increase its current share of Cauvery water from 5,000 to 7,200 cusecs per day. Tamil Nadu had requested fresh directions for the release of Cauvery river water from Karnataka, alleging that the neighboring state had changed its stand and released a reduced quantum of water compared to previous pacts. On September 20, the Karnataka government filed an application with the Supreme Court, seeking a direction to the CWMA to reconsider its September 18 decision.­