Karnataka bandh: Why North Karnataka not much interested in the strike

Bengaluru, April 18: The bandh called by pro-Kannada outfits to protest Tamil Nadu's opposition to Mekedatu drinking water project across River Cauvery have received little support in the districts of North Karnaraka. [Karnataka bandh: Explained]

According to reports, the farmers based in North Karnataka have questioned the necessity to take part in the strike when their own problem over water-sharing in North Karnataka has not been considered a similar challenge by their counterparts in the south. [Pics: Effect of Karnataka bandh in Bengaluru]

Have southern Karnataka ever tried to understand the irrigation projects of North Karnataka, especially the Upper Krishna Project, the Hindu quoted a veteran irrigation activist as saying. The North Karnataka agitators feel that the South doesn't help them much when agitations are staged on issues elated to the distribution of water from the Krishna and Godavari rives. [Commuters in Bengaluru left in the lurch]

The Hindu report said while the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha decided to support the bandh, its own members in North Karnataka are not ready to participate in the protest.

Some, however, feel that some political leaders of North Karnataka do not take part in the bandh to serve their own interests.

Oneindia News