Karnataka Bandh Today (August 13): Schools, Banks Open; Police Warn Against Force To Close Shops

Karnataka is shut over the Cauvery water row. But will Bengaluru come to a standstill? Here’s what’s open, what’s closed and the latest on the bandh

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Karnataka’s bandh by Kannada groups & farmers protests CWMA’s Cauvery water release to TN. Despite shutdown calls, essential services, transport, schools, & businesses remain open. Police warn against forced participation. SC hearing deferred.

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Karnataka Bandh Today: More than 20 protesters, including Manjunath Deva, were taken into police custody after attempting to block the highway at the Attibele border. (PTI)

Karnataka Bandh Update: Karnataka is observing a statewide bandh on August 13 following a call by several Kannada organisations and farmer groups opposing the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s (CWMA) decision on water allocation to Tamil Nadu. The bandh is being observed from 6 am to 6 pm, with protesters objecting to the direction for Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from August 12.

Despite the shutdown call, several essential and public services are expected to function normally across the state. Schools, colleges, banks, hospitals, pharmacies, government offices, IT and IT-enabled companies, industries, shopping malls and markets will remain open.

Public transport is also expected to operate normally, with BMTC and KSRTC employees’ associations not supporting the bandh. Private bus associations, transporters, autorickshaw associations and other transport groups have also distanced themselves from the shutdown call.

Karnataka Bandh Today: Latest Developments

1. Bengaluru Police Appeal For Calm: The Bengaluru City Police have appealed to citizens and organisations to maintain peace, public order and normalcy during the bandh. Police said several organisations have called for the shutdown, while others have informed them that they do not support it.
2. Police Warn Against Forced Participation: The Bengaluru City Police said they respect citizens’ democratic right to protest peacefully within the law, but stressed that others must also be allowed to carry out their daily activities without obstruction. No individual or organisation should force, threaten or compel anyone to participate in the bandh, shut shops or establishments, obstruct vehicular movement or protest against their will.
3. Kannada Jagruthi Vedike Protesters Detained At Attibele: Members of the Kannada Jagruthi Vedike staged a road blockade at around 8 am at the Attibele border and warned the Tamil Nadu government against obstructing the implementation of the Mekedatu project. The protesters, led by the organisation’s state president Manjunath Deva, marched from the Attibele toll towards the state border and raised slogans against the Tamil Nadu government. More than 20 protesters, including Manjunath Deva, were taken into police custody after they attempted to block the highway.
4. Security Tightened At Karnataka-Tamil Nadu Border: Police deployed additional security at the Attibele border as a precautionary measure. An Additional SP, three inspectors and around 50 police personnel were deployed to maintain law and order and prevent disruption to traffic.
5. Schools, Colleges To Remain Open: Schools and colleges will function normally during the bandh. Educational institutions have not been included in the list of establishments expected to shut down.
6. Hospitals And Pharmacies To Function: Hospitals, pharmacies and other medical establishments will continue to provide services. Essential and public services are also expected to remain operational.
7. Public Transport To Remain Unaffected: BMTC and KSRTC services are expected to operate as normal as their employees’ associations have not extended support to the bandh. Namma Metro, private buses, school buses, autos, taxis, cabs and airport taxi services are also expected to run.
8. Businesses And Markets To Stay Open: IT, BT and ITE companies, government offices, industries, commercial establishments, shopping malls, markets and APMC yards are expected to remain operational. Hotels, darshinis, bakeries, condiment shops, garment establishments and street vendors are also expected to function.
9. Mysuru Reports No Major Impact: The bandh has had no reported impact in Mysuru, with private school management representatives confirming that schools are functioning normally. Hotel Owners Association president C Narayana Gowda also said hotels in the city are operating as usual.
10. Liquor Sales Banned In Parts Of Mandya: Liquor sales have been prohibited in KR Pet, Srirangapatna, Maddur, Pandavapura and Mandya taluks of Mandya district in view of the bandh. The Deputy Commissioner has ordered the closure of liquor shops, bars and restaurants, with the restriction in force from 6 am to 10 pm.

Karnataka To Decide Next Step After Supreme Court Hearing

Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy has said the state would find it difficult to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu as directed by the CWMA.

Ramalinga Reddy said he had discussed the matter with the Chief Minister and officials, while the Chief Minister had spoken to the state’s Advocate General and lawyers in Delhi. He said Karnataka’s advocates would place the state’s objections before the Supreme Court and that the government would decide its future course after the court hearing.

He also said the government would ensure that no injustice was done to Karnataka and indicated that further options would be considered after the Supreme Court’s decision.

The CWRC’s direction came after its meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday, when it asked Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs daily for 15 days from August 12. The CWMA subsequently upheld the decision, triggering opposition from farmer groups and Kannada organisations across Karnataka.

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