# Kannada activists call off Karnataka bandh after meeting CM Shivakumar 2026-08-13T10:35:16+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 4 independent outlets Kannada activists withdrew their bandh call on Thursday after meeting Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, as the Karnataka Legislative Assembly began its session. Shivakumar confirmed the development, thanking the groups for withdrawing the protest. The bandh over the Cauvery water dispute had been called by Kannada organisations opposing the release of water to Tamil Nadu. Normal life remained largely unaffected in Bengaluru and Mysuru, though protests intensified in Mandya district, where farmers offered symbolic 'pinda pradhana' to the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee. Police detained some activists, including Vatal Nagaraj, as a precaution. The groups said they are not against sharing water with Tamil Nadu but want progress on the Mekedatu project and steps to strengthen Karnataka's water infrastructure. ## Coverage - livemint.com - deccanherald.com - timesofindia.indiatimes.com - timesofindia.indiatimes.com - assamtribune.com Tags: bandh, Cauvery water dispute, DK Shivakumar, Karnataka, Mekedatu project, Tamil Nadu Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/karnataka-bandh-withdrawn-after-activists-meet-cm-shivakumar/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/karnataka-bandh-withdrawn-after-activists-meet-cm-shivakumar/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.