Karnataka Bandh: Five Highlights From Protests Over Release Of Cauvery Water To Tamil Nadu

Protests are underway in Karnataka over the sharing of Cauvery water with Tamil Nadu following the Supreme Court’s refusal earlier this month to interfere with the decision of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).

The CWMA had directed Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of water per day for 15 days to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

Hearing a plea by Tamil Nadu, which sought more water from Karnataka, a Supreme Court Bench of Justices B R Gavai, P S Narasimha and P K Mishra had on 21 September noted that the CWMA and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) had experts as members and it did not want to interfere with their decision.

Karnataka Bandh called by Pro-Kannada organisations

Kannada Okkuta, an umbrella organisation for Kannada organisations, had called for a statewide bandh today (29 September) to protest against the release of Cauvery river water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

Kannada Okkuta includes factions of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Kannada Chalavali (Vatal Paksha) and various farmers’ bodies that have given a call for the statewide dawn-to-dusk shutdown.

Who is supporting the Bandh

The opposition BJP and JD(S) have extended their support to the bandh, as well as hotels, autorickshaws and hail riders associations in Karnataka.

Further, Karnataka Film Exhibitors Association has also extended support to the Bandh and said that it will not screen any movies on Friday till 6pm across the state.

Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce has called for a gathering near their office in Gandhinagar at 10 am to stand in solidarity with Karnataka’s farmers. 

In view of the Bandh called by pro-Kannada organisations, the authorities have clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code in Bengaluru Urban, Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagara, Ramanagara and Hassan districts of Karnataka, and declared a holiday for schools and colleges there.

Over 40 Flights cancelled, Cab aggregators extend support to Bandh

As many as 44 flights have been cancelled at the Bengaluru International Airport on Friday amid the Bandh.

Bengaluru airport officials reportedly said that 22 incoming and 22 outgoing flights were cancelled by airlines.

People relying on cab aggregators and three-wheelers for their commute may have to face problems today as Ola and Uber and autorickshaws have extended their support for the shutdown and will not operate on Friday.

Police action against protesters

According to the reports, Bengaluru Police has detained members of pro-Kannada organisations protesting over the Cauvery water sharing issue today near Attibele situated at the border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. 

Several protesters who attempted to hold demonstrations in areas like the Bengaluru central bus terminal in Majestic, Town Hall and Mysuru Bank Circle were also detained.

Bengaluru police commissioner, B Dayananda, urged protesters to assemble at Freedom Park where peaceful demonstrations have been permitted by the state government.