Bengaluru Bandh: Pro-Kannada activists call strike successful, set three day deadline for govt

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah met the farmers who are protesting near Mandya nd discussed the issue of Cauvery water.

Siddaramaiah said, “On the way from Mysore to Chamarajanagar, she discussed the issue of Cauvery water with the protesting farmers group at Mandya and promised to protect the interest of the country.”

'Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti' leader Shanthakumar claimed the bandh was successful. The samiti set a 3-day deadline for the government to announce its decision, failing which it will intensify protests.

City police had taken all adequate security measures to respond to any violent situations that may happen during the protests.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda said prohibitory orders under section 144 will be in place across the city from midnight on Monday to midnight on Tuesday.

Tamil Nadu is continuing to receive water from Karnataka and as of today, the state has received 7,000 cusecs of water, state Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan said on Tuesday. Initially, Karnataka provided 2,500 cusecs of water per day and the quantum was increased to 3,000 cusecs per day.

Amid mounting pressure on the Karnataka government against releasing Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu, the latter on Tuesday said the Supreme Court's verdict should be binding, notwithstanding such agitations.

Despite protests in Karnataka capital Bengaluru, the state government was releasing water to its neighbour, TN Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan said.

On the protests in the neighbouring state, the Minister said the Supreme Court’s verdict should be binding.

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday expressed satisfaction over the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) rejecting Tamil Nadu's request for 12,000 cusecs and recommending that Karnataka release 3,000 cusecs of water to the neighbouring state till October 15. The CWRC's recommendation came on the day of the Bengaluru bandh called by farmers and pro-Kannada organisations and backed by the BJP and JD(S), over the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Tuesday claimed the Karnataka government released Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu after succumbing to the pressure from the ruling DMK and the INDIA bloc.

He alleged the Siddaramaiah government released the water as the Congress was aware that it could not survive without the MK Stalin-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu.

Speaking to reporters here, Chandrasekhar said the BJP would not allow the political pressure to which the "Congress has succumbed" to affect the people of Karnataka and will put up a strong fight.

The Bangalore University has announced that the annual convocation event which was scheduled on Friday is postponed due to state wide bandh. Pro-Kannada organisations have called for a Karnataka bandh on Friday as a mark of protest against the Cauvery issue and BU said that a new date will be announced soon.

Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya has attacked Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah for asking PM Modi to intervene into the Cauvery issue and solve it.

In an X post, Tejavsi Surya said, “CM Siddaramiah must stop politicking with an issue as serious as Kaveri. After failing to protect the interests of the State in almost 10 consecutive hearings before CWMA and suffering multiple adverse orders, CM is trying to change goalposts and play politics.”

Karnataka transport minister Ramalinga Reddy met protesters at Freedom Park and received a memorandum from them. "I have received the memorandum on behalf of the government. I will bring them to the notice of the chief minister," he said. The five-point memorandum includes demands that water is not released from Cauvery to Tamil Nadu, an election commission-like body be put together to assess things during distress years, Mekedatu project be implemented, and cases against farmers and pro-Kannada activists be withdrawn, he said.

Amid the protest across Bengaluru on Cauvery issue, a huge rally took place from Bengaluru's Mysuru bank circle. Karnataka Water Conservation Committee president Kurubur Shanthakumar was detained from Mysore Bank Circle and was released at Freedom Park.

Roughly 200 protesters were detained by the Bengaluru on Tuesday across the city.

The Joint Commissioner of Police asked Yeshwantpur police to inquire about the private hotel that supplied the food to the personnel. The hotel owner was also issued a notice regarding the issue.

"A case will be registered against the hotel owner. Luckily, the matter came to light beforehand while no one had eaten the dead rat food," said Anucheth.

Further investigation into the matter is underway.

Members of Cauvery Urimai Meetpu Kulu staged a 'rail roko' protest in Thanjavur by blocking Cholan Express train, condemning Karnataka government to release Tamil Nadu's share of water in Cauvery river. The protestors were later arrested by the police. (PTI)

In a shocking incident, a dead rat was found in the breakfast served to police assigned on security duty in Bengaluru amid bandh and protests called by farmers over the Cauvery water dispute in the state capital, said officials. (ANI)

Accusing opposition BJP and JD(S) of politicising the Cauvery row, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday rejected allegations that his government has failed on the issue, and said his administration has never lagged behind in protecting the interests of the state, its people and farmers. (PTI)

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah state government has never lagged behind in protecting the interests of the state, its people and farmers. He said, "For us, power is not important, the interests of the people is important. We believe strongly in it." Pointing out that so far there has been no distress formula on sharing Cauvery during drought years, the CM said, "We have been seeking a distress formula. We have been pressuring the Supreme Court on this and before the tribunal also.

Cauvery Water Regulation Committee at New Delhi on Tuesday recommended Karnataka to release 3000 cusecs of water everyday at Biligundlu starting from 8am on September 28 to October 15.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday flayed the Congress government in the state for alleged detention of farmers and Kannada activists participating in the 'bandh' here to protest the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

The protesters and farmers should be released immediately, he said, adding Cauvery water flow to Tamil Nadu should be stopped.

The Tamil Nadu farmers on Tuesday conducted a mock funeral of Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, as a mark of protest against the Karnataka governement. A similar mock funeral for Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin was conducted by pro-Kannada activists in Karanataka's Ramanagara.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said there are no objections for the protest in democracy and said that they must be conducted in a peaceful manner.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said that the opposition should refrain from gaining political mileage through the Cauvery water dispute.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Siddaramaiah said, “We have no objections to any kind of protests or bandh. But there are few people and parties who are making the Cauvery issue political. 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.” Read full story

Bengaluru Police have detained more than 200 protesters on Tuesday while they are marching towards Raj Bhavan from the Vidhana Soudha. Various pro-Kannada organistion members including leaders like Vatal Nagraj, Praveen Shetty and others were taken into the custody. Daylong protests against Cauvery water dispute are also planned at Freedom Park, Town hall and other regions.

Farmers in Bengaluru staged half-naked protest on Tuesday amid the ongoing Cauvery water-sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. (ANI)

Bengaluru police detained protesters during the bandh called by various organisations over the release of the Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. (PTI)

"My party has already extended support for a peaceful 'bandh'," said JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda on 'Bengaluru bandh' today called by various organisations protesting against the release of the Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. (PTI)

On 'Bengaluru bandh', Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said, "Any bandh can be called, we have no objection to that. Though there is SC verdict, but we won't disturb them, let them call the bandh." He was speaking to reporters in Mysuru. (ANI)

Visuals of 'Bengaluru bandh' called by various organisations protesting against the release of the Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. (PTI)

Amid a bandh in Bengaluru on Tuesday, several individuals, farmers andd pro-Kannada groups gathered at Freedom Park in huge numbers, where they held demonstrations and raised slogans. Senior BJP leader and Lingayat strongman BS Yediyurappa also indicated he will join the protest at the Mysore bank circle.

Bengaluru police commissioner B Dayananada on Tuesday said there have been no violent incidents in the midst of several protests and bandh in Bengaluru over the Cauvery dispute. “No incidents of violence reported so far,” he told Hindustan Times.

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. (ANI)

Some malls in the city have decided to remain shut today in Bengaluru amid a bandh. Many shops and establishments were also seen not functioning as usual in the morning hours. (PTI)

Several activists of Kannada organisations were whisked away by the police in Bengaluru from the Town Hall, as they were gathered there to stage a protest. Bengaluru top cop B Dayananda had earlier said there is no permission to take our marches and protest outside the Freedom Park. (PTI)

Members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike staged a protest in Ramanagara district, where they laid garlands over Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin's portrait photograph. The protest is over the release of Cauvery river water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu. (PTI)

The Bengaluru bandh called by farmers and Kannada organisations on Tuesday and backed by the BJP and JD(S) in protest against the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu evoked partial response, with most of the public services functioning normally, but fewer people venturing out. (PTI)

Farmers' organisation holds protest on Cauvery water sharing issue in Freedom Park, Bengaluru. (ANI)

Security personnel have been deployed in Krishnagiri district along the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border. Bus services from Tamil Nadu towards Karnataka were affected following a 'bandh' called by various pro-Kannada organisations in Bengaluru over the Cauvery water issue. (PTI)

As bus services from Tamil Nadu to Karnataka were disrupted, several workers and commuters are facing difficulty traveling. “People are struggling due to strike in Karnataka. Several IT industries are there, so all the people who are workers there are facing problems,” a passenger travelling from Hosur, in Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu to Bengaluru in Karnataka, said. (ANI)

Bus services from Tamil Nadu towards Karnataka are disrupted amid a 'bandh' called in Bengaluru regarding the Cauvery water issue. Several buses from Tamil Nadu are being stopped at Zuzuvadi in Krishnagiri district of the state. (ANI)

HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday wrote on social media, “If Congress leaders can undertake a protest Padayatra violating COVID rules, can't Kannadigas peacefully protest for their lifeline, the Kaveri river? The farmers who were peacefully protesting and have been detained, this is condemnable. Is this the government of Kannadigas? Is it a regime like Stalin's? Whose interests are Kannadigas serving?”

“The protesters, the farmers, must be released immediately. The flow of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu must not be stopped. The result of the Congress party turning into the 'B' team of the DMK is now clear to Kannadigas in the context of the Cauvery issue,” he further wrote.

Former chief minister and JDS second in command HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday wrote on social media, “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?”

Bengaluru police detained Kurubur Shanthakumar, the president of the Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samithi. A march was undertaken to Freedom Park in Bengaluru under his leadership, However, police detained him since no permission was taken for the march.

As a bandh has been called by various organizations in Bengaluru, DCP central Shekar T Tekkannavar said, "We have made adequate bandobast...as per the order of the commissioner, no protest or procession is allowed...traffic is normal." (ANI)

Farmers in Bengaluru protested over Cauvery water release to Tamil Nadu. They wore green shawls and raised slogans. Some farmers also laid on the ground to protest the issue. (ANI)

Farmers organisations take out bike rally in Malavalli town of Karnataka's Mandya as part of the 'bandh' called by them over the Cauvery water dispute. (PTI)

Restaurants will remain closed in the city today, said President of the Bangalore Hoteliers Association, PC Rao. "It's our duty, we are also supporting the bandh as we are not getting justice for several years," he said. (ANI)

Cabs will be plying in Bengaluru as per usual today. Ola Uber Drivers and Owners Association president Tanveer Pasha had told reporters that the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), Ola and Uber services will be as usual. (ANI)

Security forces were deployed in large numbers in Bengaluru's Whitefield early on Tuesday morning amid the bandh call to prevent any untoward incidents. (ANI)

Bengaluru is likely to see protests at the Freedom Park, Raj Bhawan and Town Hall today, amid bandh. Pro-Kannada organisations are expected to participate. However, Police Commissioner B Dayananada said protests would only be allowed in Freedom Park. Traffic disruptions are likely.

(ANI)

Karnataka unit of Aam Aadmi Party on Monday accused the Congress-led state government of betraying the people of the state by denying permission for the Bengaluru bandh called on September 26 by farmers' groups and several Pro-Kannada organisations. (ANI)

The Majestic Bus Station in Bengaluru witnessed near to no footfall on bandh day, which contrasted with the crowds it sees daily. Manju, a bus conductor at the bus stop spoke to reporters and said, "As bandh has been called, no commuters are seen in Kempegowda bus stop which is usually one of the busiest bus stops in the state." (ANI)

An auto driver at Majestic BMTC Bus stop, Bengaluru, Naseer Khan said, "We support the bandh called by various organisations. When the Cauvery water issue comes, we have a very clear stand that Karnataka will not provide water to anyone. Only night drivers are here, autos will not run today, we will support the bandh."

(ANI)

Bengaluru Bandh has been called by various organizations regarding the Cauvery water issue. According to BMTC, all routes of Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation will be operational as usual.

Two bandhs have been announced this week -- one in Bengaluru today and another statewide on Friday -- to protest against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, with opposition parties in Karnataka backing the call made by a farmers' organisation for the shutdown tomorrow. The announcement for the Karnataka bandh on September 29 was made on Monday, under the banner 'Kannada Okkuta' -- led by Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj, days after 'Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti', an umbrella outfit of farmers’ associations and other organisations led by farmer leader Kuruburu Shanthakumar gave the call for Tuesday's Bengaluru shutdown. The two bandhs reflect the divide among the farmers and pro-Kannada organisations, and has also now led to a confusion about who is supporting the bandh on which day, and whether services will be available tomorrow.

PTI

Bengaluru is expected to see a complete shutdown on Tuesday as farmer bodies, Kannada organisations and opposition parties have called for a 'Bandh' in the city to protest against the release of water from the Cauvery river in Karnataka to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

Bengaluru Urban District Collector KA Dayanand has announced a public holiday for all schools and colleges in the city in view of the Bandh.

Bengaluru Police Commisioner B Dayananda said that Section 144 will be imposed in the city under which gatherings of more than five people will not be permitted.

Meanwhile, protests have been planned at Freedom Park, Raj Bhawan, TownHall by pro Kannada organisations. However, the Police Commissioner alerted that protests would only be allowed in Freedom Park.

ANI

Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader CT Ravi on Monday said that his party will support the Bengaluru Bandh, called Tuesday to protest against the release of Cauvery water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

"Today our state party chief and BS Yediyurappa declared support. We will support it and with it, we'll also protest in front of the Gandhi statue," CT Ravi told ANI.

Bengaluru is expected to see a complete shutdown on Tuesday as farmer bodies, Kannada organisations and opposition parties have called for a 'Bandh' in the city to protest against the order of Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) directing the state to release 5000 cusecs of water to its neighbouring state Tamil Nadu, for 15 days, effective from September 13.

Bengaluru Urban District Collector KA Dayanand has announced a public holiday for all schools and colleges in the city in view of the Bandh.

ANI

Apart from IndiGo, airlines such as Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and Vistara have also put out advisories in view of the bandh.

Travel time to Bengaluru airport may take longer than normal due to Bandh declared in Bengaluru. We recommend arriving at least 2.5 hrs before domestic and 3.5 hrs before international departures: IndiGo

Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have been locked in this water battle for decades. The recent flare-up has been the rejection of latter's petition by the Supreme Court against an order of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) asking Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from September 13. The Karnataka government said it was not in a position to release this much water due to the state's own needs for drinking water and irrigation.

The Congress-led state government has asked opposition parties, including the BJP, to not 'politicise' the Cauvery water dispute with neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

“In a democracy, we (the government) will not curtail protests, but the BJP and JD(S) are trying to do politics on the issue,” chief minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday.

Schools, colleges and other educational institutes will remain closed on account of the bandh.

Offices, on the other hand, have asked employees to work from home.

Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus services will not be affected. Metro services too will be available as usual.

State govt-run buses, however, will not ply.

The Kannada Okkuta, led by activist Vatal Nagaraj, will lead Friday's bandh, and therefore, is not participating today.

Hotel Owners' Association and Ola Uber Drivers and Owners Association, each of whom previously announced their support, too, will not participate. The latter, however, will participate on Friday.

Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti', an umbrella outfit of farmers’ associations and other organisations led by farmer leader Kuruburu Shanthakumar, has called for Tuesday's bandh.

Auto and taxi unions and the state's opposition BJP are among those to have extended support to the strike.

Ahead of Tuesday's daylong strike, the Bengaluru City Police Section 144 prohibiting the assembly of more than five people. The bandh will be held from 6am till 6pm.

BJP leader B S Yediyurappa on Monday said his party would extend cooperation in ensuring that the Bengaluru bandh called by various organisations protesting against the release of Cauvery water is successful.

Protesting against the release of Cauvery water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu, various organisations have called for two bandhs in the state, as the ruling Congress asserted to more "forcefully" present Karnataka's case in the Supreme Court and assured it will not curtail the planned agitations over the inter-state river dispute.

City police are taking all adequate security measures to ensure that no untoward incident takes place, officials said.

On Saturday, various farmer organisations met at Bengaluru’s freedom park and decided to call for a bandh on Tuesday.