The long-standing water dispute between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has reached an all-new high due to the Bengaluru Bandh after the Supreme Court of India ordered the Karnataka government to release 5,000 cusecs of water after the government has declared it is in a drought situation.
The farmers and organizations backed by the opposition BJP and JD(S) of Karnataka have responded to this news by declaring a Bengaluru Bandh and shutting down the city from dawn to dusk (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Though the auto drivers, KSRTC, and BMTC unions have extended their support they will not be participating in the Bandh.
SOURCE: Mint
The Karnataka Chief Minister, Siddiramaih said the government has no objection regarding the ongoing bandh despite a Supreme Court verdict against them. However, he stated that certain political parties should avoid making this a political issue.
“We all must work for the people of Karnataka and not for self-political gains. There is a Supreme Court verdict against bandh, but we do not want to curtail it,” said CM Siddiramaih.
source: AP7AM
The city is seeing protests at Freedom Park, Raj Bhawan, and Town Hall despite the police department only granting permission for the bandh in Freedom Park. The farmers’ Organizations have displayed bike rallies in Malvalli town of Karnataka’s Mandya as part of the ‘bandh’. The Bengaluru police deployed a heavy number of security forces along several strategic locations in the city to prevent riots or any adverse incidents. Several activists including, Kurubur Shanthakumar, President of the Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samithi, were detained by the Bengaluru Police for organizing marches and protests without permission in Town Hall and Freedom Park respectively.
source: NDTV
A group of Tamil Nadu farmers in Tiruchirappalli held dead rats in their mouths in protest against the Karnataka government and demanded the release of Cauvery water to the state.
source: Hindustan Times
The former chief minister and JDS second in command HD Kumaraswamy took to social media to speak on the situation saying, “On one side, you are doing a march demanding Mekadatu but you are arresting those protesting for Cauvery water. They have been detaining protesters night after night, which is the utmost injustice under the @INCKarnataka government. Is there one justice for Congress in Karnataka and another justice for Kannadigas?”
The Tamil Nadu and Karnataka bus services have been hindered due to the ongoing protests, several buses from Tamil Nadu are being stopped at Zuzuvadi in Krishnagiri district of the state.
Subsequently, ‘Kannada Chaluvali Group’, an umbrella organization for Kannada organizations, led by former MLA Vatal Nagaraj has withdrawn their support for the Bengaluru Bandh and called for a state-wide bandh on Friday, September 29 to protest against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
SOURCE: Times of India
“Everyone will support the bandh. We will protest in front of the Raj Bhavan. We will block national highways and airports. Buses, taxis, and autos will support the bandh,” stated Vatal Nagaraj, at a press meeting held on September 25. He said that it would be a ‘Sampoorna Karnataka’ bandh and that a shutdown would be implemented in all districts.
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