Bengaluru: Pro-Kannada organisations called for a Karnataka bandh from 6am to 6pm on Thursday to protest the Cauvery Water Control Committee’s (CWRC) direction to release water to Tamil Nadu. However, the bandh received largely moral support, with transport services and commercial activities continuing in most parts of the state.
The decision to release Cauvery water has triggered anger across Karnataka, particularly amid concerns over drought and water availability. Kannada Federation president Vatal Nagaraj had called for the bandh, while several farmer and pro-Kannada organisations extended their support.
Protests and demonstrations were reported from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Ramanagara, Hassan and other districts in the Cauvery basin. Despite the protests, there was no major disruption to bus services or other public transport.
Police detained several pro-Kannada activists who attempted to stage protests in Mysuru on Thursday morning. Similar incidents of preventive detention were reported from some other districts as authorities moved to prevent any possible law-and-order issues.
Security was tightened across Karnataka in view of the bandh. Additional police personnel were deployed in sensitive areas and security arrangements were strengthened around key transport hubs and other important locations.
Educational institutions largely functioned as usual, as organisations representing the education sector extended only moral support to the bandh. Schools and colleges in most areas did not witness significant disruption.
While the bandh call highlighted the growing opposition to the Cauvery water release, its overall impact remained limited, with normal transport, business and other daily activities continuing across much of Karnataka.
