Karnataka Bandh Today: Section 144 Imposed in Mandya District; Schools and Colleges Closed

In a continuation of the long-standing Cauvery river water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Karnataka witnessed a state-wide bandh called by the 'Kannada Okkuta' on Friday. The bandh, which lasted for 12 hours from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., resulted in various disruptions across the state. Here are the latest updates on the Karnataka bandh:

The Cauvery Water Dispute: The root cause of the bandh lies in the ongoing Cauvery River water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The issue has been a source of contention for decades, with both states claiming their rightful share of the river's waters.

The Bandh's Impact:

1. Protesters and Processions: Pro-Kannada groups and farmers' organizations initiated the bandh to protest against the release of Cauvery River water to Tamil Nadu. In response, the Karnataka Police deployed extra forces across the state to maintain law and order.
2. Massive Protests: Demonstrators took to the streets, with a significant procession planned from Town Hall to Freedom Park in Bengaluru, among other locations throughout the state. The 'Kannada Chaluvali' group, led by Vatal Nagaraj, remained firm in their call for a statewide bandh, even threatening to block national highways and airports.
3. Section 144 in Mandya: In anticipation of the state-wide shutdown, the Mandya district in Karnataka saw the imposition of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
4. Schools and Colleges Closed: The Bengaluru administration declared a holiday for all educational institutions in the city for the day, prioritizing students' safety and convenience.
5. Transport Services Affected: Autorickshaw and ridesharing associations expressed support for the bandh, with services like private cabs, shopping malls, and movie theatres temporarily halted.
6. Functional Services: Essential services such as public transport (KSRTC, BMTC), banking services, ambulances, pharma vehicles, hospitals, and medical stores remained operational.
7. Political Support: The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) extended their support to the bandh.

Protests and Disruptions: Amidst the bandh, actor Siddharth faced interruptions during his press conference in Bengaluru, as members of 'Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Swabhimani Sene' demanded he leave the venue, citing the inopportune timing due to the Cauvery water dispute.

Additionally, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) activists held a sizable protest in Bengaluru against state MPs and the Siddaramaiah government, emphasizing the state's claim to Cauvery river water.

Understanding the Cauvery River Water Issue: The Cauvery River water dispute has persisted for years between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It recently escalated following an order from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), directing Karnataka to release 5000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.

Karnataka has cited insufficient inflow into its reservoirs due to lower rainfall in the Cauvery catchment area, including regions in Kerala, as the reason for not being able to comply with the order. Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, argues that the river is a shared resource and should not be deprived of its share.

The Cauvery River, originating in Karnataka's Talakaveri region, flows through Tamil Nadu before reaching the Bay of Bengal. This geographical distribution of the river has been a longstanding source of conflict between the two states.

Also Read: Kannada Groups Announce Bengaluru Bandh on September 26 Amid Cauvery Water Dispute

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