Now Reading: Karnataka bandh: schools and banks open despite Cauvery protest
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Karnataka bandh: schools and banks open despite Cauvery protest
A state-wide bandh called by Kannada organisations began at 6 am on August 13 to protest the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s order directing Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to…
The Story in Brief
A state-wide bandh called by Kannada organisations began at 6 am on August 13 to protest the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s order directing Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days. Schools, banks, hospitals and pharmacies are open across the state, as the Karnataka Associated Management of Schools withdrew its earlier support for the shutdown. Public transport is running normally in Bengaluru, where police have deployed additional forces to maintain order.
Chief minister D K Shivakumar said the government must protect the state’s farmers while also abiding by court orders. The Supreme Court has deferred the hearing to August 17. Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj said the bandh also aims to highlight the Kalasa-Banduri and Mekedatu projects.
The Indian Opinion
The claim that a total shutdown would paralyse the state is overblown, essential services are functioning and police have ensured normalcy. At the same time, the government’s assertion that everything is routine downplays genuine anger over water sharing. The real test will be how many people voluntarily stay off the streets and whether the August 17 court order satisfies either side.
Sources (5): hindustantimes.com, hindustantimes.com (2), indiatvnews.com, indiatvnews.com (2), thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 5 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 5 sources.
