Bengaluru Bandh On Sep 26, Entire Karnataka Shut Down On Sep 29

Karnataka is set for two bandhs in a span of a week in protest against the release of 5,000 cusecs of Cauvery river water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

While there will be a bandh Bengaluru on Tuesday, the entire Karnataka will come to a standstill on Friday (September 29) on the same issue.

Bengaluru Bandh (September 26)

The official call for shutdown in Bengaluru was given on Saturday by farmers and pro-Kannada outfits observing 'Mandya Bandh.' The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) had on Monday directed Karnataka to continue releasing 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for another 15 days, after the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) made such a recommendation last week.

The Supreme Court had also refused to interfere with orders of the CWMA and CWRC directing Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu, following which protests erupted in different parts of the state.

Support

The private and public transport unions announced their support for a Bengaluru bandh. KSRTC Staff and Workers Federation has also urged the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) employees not to ply buses from dawn to dusk.

The Federation of Karnataka State Private Transport Association, comprising 32 private transport organizations, announced its participation in the Bengaluru bandh. This move is expected to impact the transportation of school vans, cabs, autos, and airport taxis. However, the federation emphasized that its members have the autonomy to decide which trips to undertake, avoid, or cease operations altogether.

Ola, Uber Drivers and Owners Association has announced support for Bengaluru bandh. "There will be no compromise when it comes to land, language, and water. Without any second thoughts, we support the bandh," Hindustan Times quoted President Tanveer Pasha, as saying.

A leading private schools association has urged the Karnataka government to declare a holiday over the Bengaluru bandh, keeping the safety of the students in mind.

It has expressed concern over the disruptions during the examination season and asked the state government to take a call on the issue. "Private schools' association supports the protests and will participate in our way in the movement. However, based on the situation, we are asking the government to use its discretionary powers to declare a holiday, where necessary," Times of India quoted Shashi Kumar, general secretary of the Association of Management of Primary and Secondary Schools of Karnataka, as saying.

"Usually, a call to declare a holiday is taken by the respective district administration. We do not do it at the state level," said Cauvery B, commissioner, department of school education and literacy.

Friday Bandh (September 29)

The Karnataka bandh scheduled for Friday was initiated by pro-Kannada groups during a demonstration organized by the president of Kannada Chaluvali, Vatal Nagaraj, in Bengaluru on Sunday. Expressing solidarity with the Bengaluru bandh, Nagaraj mentioned that a gathering of all participating organizations is planned for Monday to determine the course of action for the statewide Karnataka bandh.

Addressing the media on Monday, he said, "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," he said.

However, he has withdrawn the support for the Bengaluru bandh on Tuesday. However, it is unclear whether the court will permit two bandhs in a week.

What's Closed?

• Bus services on the both days are expected to be closed.
• Cab services will remain off roads between 6 am and 6 pm.
• Most schools will remain closed.
• Hotel, restaurants will remain closed.

What's Open?

• Namma Metro service will remain open.
• Medical shops and hospitals.
• Goods carrying vehicles and other emergency services.