Karnataka Bandh Called on August 13 Over Cauvery Water Release to Tamil Nadu
Bengaluru: Several Kannada organisations and farmer groups have called for a statewide Karnataka Bandh on August 13 in protest against the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s direction to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu amid drought conditions in the State.
The bandh call was announced after a meeting of Kannada organisations in Bengaluru. Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj said the bandh would be observed across Karnataka from 6 am to 6 pm on August 13.
The protesting organisations have opposed the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, arguing that Karnataka is facing severe drought conditions, with farmers struggling for irrigation, livestock facing fodder shortages and drinking water reserves in reservoirs under pressure.
According to the organisers, all districts will witness demonstrations by farmers and pro-Kannada organisations during the bandh. Shops and commercial establishments are expected to remain closed, while public transport, including buses, auto-rickshaws, taxis and app-based cab services, may be affected. However, essential services such as hospitals, pharmacies, milk supply and vegetable distribution will remain exempt from the bandh.
The organisers claimed that the bandh has received support from the Karnataka BJP, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, lorry owners and drivers’ associations, auto-rickshaw unions, Ola and Uber drivers’ organisations, labour unions and street vendors.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar appealed to the organisations to withdraw the bandh, stating that it would inconvenience the public and would not provide a solution to the Cauvery dispute. He said the State Government is already working to protect Karnataka’s interests and urged protesters to avoid disrupting normal life.
The Chief Minister also announced that a proposed meeting between the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments, scheduled to be held at Vidhana Soudha on August 3, has been postponed in view of the prevailing situation. He said a fresh date would be fixed after consultations with his counterparts in Tamil Nadu to ensure the meeting is held in a conducive atmosphere.
Although the Cauvery Water Management Authority has directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu from August 1, the State Government has not yet released the water. Meanwhile, the Karnataka Government has convened an all-party meeting to discuss the issue and formulate its response.
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