Karnataka Bandh On September 29: Will Cabs Be Available? Will Theaters And Restaurants Be Open?

Karnataka Bandh: Pro-Kannada organisations, under the leadership of the Kannada Chaluvali group, have declared Karnataka Bandh on Friday, September 29, in opposition to the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. The former MLA Vatal Nagaraj, who also heads the Kannada Chaluvali, issued the call for the statewide shutdown.

During a press conference, Vatal Nagaraj firmly stated their commitment to the shutdown on September 29, expressing confidence in widespread support. He announced plans to stage protests in front of the Raj Bhavan, block national highways and disrupt airport operations. Buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws are expected to join the shutdown. Nagaraj emphasized that this would be an all-encompassing statewide shutdown, affecting all districts.

Vatal Nagaraj also withdrew support for the Bengaluru shutdown scheduled for September 26, although it remains uncertain whether the courts will permit a second shutdown within the same week.

Meanwhile, the Ola Uber drivers and owners association has announced their withdrawal of support from the Bengaluru Bandh scheduled for Tuesday. They have also urged the government to disclose a list of individuals with criminal records (rowdy sheeters) if cab drivers face attacks from protesters on Tuesday.

Tanveer Pasha, President of the Ola Uber Drivers' and Owners' Association, explained, "Following a meeting, it was decided that a statewide shutdown will be organised. Therefore, we have opted to participate in the statewide shutdown and have withdrawn from the Bengaluru shutdown as it's impractical to partake in both events."

Trade unions and various farmer groups have called for a shutdown in the state capital of Bengaluru on Tuesday, demanding that the state government refrain from releasing water to Tamil Nadu. This shutdown will lead to the closure of schools and colleges in Bengaluru, and it is expected that shops, factories, and transportation services will not operate on that day.

The long-standing dispute over Cauvery water between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has been a recurring issue for years. The recent protests were triggered by the directive of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT), which ordered the Karnataka government to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu. However, the Congress-led Karnataka government maintains that there is no available water to release to Tamil Nadu and contends that a distress formula is absent.

Will Namma Metro Services Be Available to the Public?

Despite the bandh, Namma Metro services, operated by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), will continue to run as usual.

Will Banks Stay Open?

Currently, there is no information regarding the closure of banks within the city.

Are Hospitals Operating During the Bandh?

Despite the restrictions, vital services such as hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies, and government offices will remain open.

However, both the government-operated Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) have expressed their support for the bandh and will suspend their services.

Can People Access Theatres and Restaurants?

The Kannada film industry has shown its support for the bandh, which implies that movie theaters in the city are expected to remain closed.

While restaurants have extended their moral support for the bandh, they are classified as essential services and will remain open on Tuesday.