Bengaluru Bandh: Police Deny Permission, Section 144 Imposed To Ensure Peace

Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda on Monday said that the Bengaluru Bandh scheuled on Tuesday, i.e September 26 would not be permitted, and this decision had been conveyed to the organisers. Farmers union said that Bengaluru Bandh will be in place from 6 am to 6 pm on September 26.

Speaking at a press conference, he announced that prohibitory orders would be enforced from midnight on Monday until midnight on Tuesday. Dayananda emphasized that, due to the implementation of CrPC Section 144, no more than five individuals would be allowed to assemble in public areas in Bengaluru. He added, "In accordance with various Supreme Court and High Court judgments, no shutdowns are allowed. We have put in place all the necessary security measures." The Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samithi, a collective of pro-farmer and other groups, had called for a city-wide shutdown in Bengaluru on Tuesday to protest against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

The Commissioner stated that if any unfortunate incidents or damage to public property were to occur, the organisers would be held responsible. "This has been communicated to the organisers. The matter has also been brought before the High Court. We have already informed the organisers that the Bengaluru Bandh cannot proceed on Tuesday. Our officers have covered all sensitive areas."

Meanwhile, several associations have withdrawn their support for the shutdown. Pro-Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj, who had been advocating for a Karnataka Bandh, stated that he would not endorse the protest on Tuesday. He informed reporters, "On September 29, the national highways will be closed, and we will also attempt to shut down the airport. I want to reiterate that none of the pro-Kannada outfits present here will support the shutdown on Tuesday. However, there will be a statewide shutdown on September 29."

Various associations that had initially expressed support for the shutdown called by the Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti, Kuruburu Shanthakumar, stated that they would participate in the protest on September 29. Leaders of the Ola, Uber Drivers' and Owners' Association, the Adarsh Auto and Taxi Drivers' Union, and the Bruhat Bangalore Hotels Association confirmed their withdrawal of support for the Tuesday shutdown.

Activist Nagaraj explained, "There is a distinction between the Bengaluru shutdown and the Karnataka shutdown. We requested them to hold the protest jointly on Friday, but they did not heed our requests. Consequently, we will not support the shutdown tomorrow."

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) confirmed that the Bengaluru Bandh would proceed on Tuesday. "'Mukyamantri' Chandru, state unit president of AAP, stated, "On behalf of the Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti and AAP, we have called for a shutdown on Tuesday." He added, "From Town Hall to Mysore Bank or to Freedom Park, we will hold a protest march and submit a plea to the government to halt the supply of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu."

Bengaluru Bandh: What's Affected?

Schools and colleges in the city will be closed. The Associated Management of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) has expressed its support for the shutdown. However, students and parents are advised to contact their respective schools and teachers for updates on school closures.

The Karnataka State Travel Operators Association and the Karnataka State Motorists Association (KSMA) have also backed the shutdown. According to the latest information, private cabs, taxis, bike taxis, and autorickshaws will not be operating during the Bangalore Shutdown on Tuesday, September 26.

Bengaluru Bandh: What Remains Operational?

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has confirmed that Namma Metro will continue to operate seamlessly in the city to assist commuters. There will be no interruptions on any metro line. Furthermore, essential services such as hospitals, pharmacies, and vehicles associated with medical services, ambulances, transportation of pharmaceutical products, and essential goods will remain in operation.