Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, witnessed disruptions in daily life as protests over the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu escalated. On Monday, September 25, Bengaluru’s Deputy Commissioner, K.A. Dayananda, announced that all schools in the city would remain closed on Tuesday, September 26, due to a “Bengaluru bandh” called by certain farmers’ organizations.
The protests are a response to the ongoing Cauvery river water-sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The release of Cauvery water has long been a contentious issue, leading to tensions between the two states. As a result, some farmers’ groups and organizations in Karnataka called for a shutdown, which received support from the private school union.
In response to the planned protests and bandh, Bengaluru city police imposed Section 144 citywide, prohibiting gatherings of more than five people and any protests, processions, or bandhs. The police emphasized that these restrictions are in accordance with instructions from the Supreme Court and High Court. Additional security forces were deployed to maintain law and order during the bandh.
The protests are expected to disrupt transportation services in the city. Both the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) workers’ unions extended their support to the bandh. The KSRTC Staff and Workers Federation urged employees not to operate buses in the city from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on September 26. Consequently, commuters may face difficulties in accessing public transportation services.
Adding to the disruptions, the Ola and Uber Drivers and Owners Association have also extended their support to the bandh, announcing that their services will not be available in the city during the protest.
Beyond the immediate impact on transportation and daily life, several Kannada outfits under the banner ‘Kannada Okkuta,’ led by Kannada activists Vatal Nagaraj, have called for a state-wide bandh on September 29. This state-wide bandh is expected to further affect routine activities and could lead to additional challenges for residents and businesses.
Despite the disruptions and the escalation of protests, the ruling Congress in Karnataka has asserted that it will present the state’s case more forcefully in the Supreme Court and does not intend to curtail planned agitations over the inter-state river dispute. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah emphasized that the government will not suppress the protests, acknowledging the importance of allowing people to express their opinions and concerns in a democracy.
The ongoing dispute over the sharing of Cauvery river water highlights the challenges of managing inter-state water resources in India. It also underscores the need for a balanced approach that considers the interests of all stakeholders while maintaining law and order to ensure the safety and well-being of the citizens affected by such disputes.
