13 August,2026 10:18 AM IST | Bengaluru | mid-day online correspondent
Representational Image
The Karnataka bandh called by pro-Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj against the release of 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu on Thursday evoked a mixed response across the state, with intense protests in Mandya and preventive detentions in several places, while normal life continued in major urban centres such as Bengaluru and Mysuru.
The bandh was called by the Federation of Kannada organisations led by Nagaraj to protest the directions of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to release water to Tamil Nadu.
Protesters have urged the Karnataka government not to release any further water, arguing that the state itself needs water for drinking purposes and agriculture.
In Mandya, the epicentre of the Cauvery agitation, farmers and pro-Kannada organisations staged protests at Sanjay Circle and other locations. Protesters carried empty pots and horse gram and raised slogans including "Our water, our right".
The protesters also blocked the old Bengaluru-Mysuru highway during the demonstrations.
Horse gram was used as a symbol of the alternative crop that farmers may be forced to grow instead of paddy because of inadequate water availability.
One protester appealed to the government to "not release even a drop of water" to Tamil Nadu and urged it to defy the directions issued by the CWRC and CWMA.
Protesters described the water release directions as a "death warrant" for farmers and criticised successive governments for allegedly "failing" to protect Karnataka's interests in the Cauvery dispute.
They also invoked former chief ministers D Devaraj Urs and S Bangarappa while demanding that the state government take a firm position against the water-sharing directions.
Another protester alleged that successive governments had "failed" to find a permanent solution to the dispute despite spending thousands of crores of rupees on legal battles.
In Mysuru, the bandh largely remained confined to protests, with public transport and commercial activity continuing normally.
Bus services from the suburban bus stand to Bengaluru, Mangaluru and other parts of the state operated as usual. Shops, hotels and other commercial establishments remained open, while auto-rickshaws and taxis also operated without disruption.
Police detained pro-Kannada activists who attempted to block buses near the suburban bus stand.
The protesters raised slogans against the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments and demanded that no Cauvery water be released to Tamil Nadu.
Karnataka Sene district president Tejas Lokesh Gowda said the government should not yield to pressure from Tamil Nadu on the Cauvery issue.
Gowda demanded that the Centre mediate between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and convene a meeting of the two chief ministers to work towards a permanent solution.
He also sought a scientific water-sharing formula for years of low rainfall and urged Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to immediately convene an all-party meeting.
The bandh had little impact in Bengaluru during the morning hours. State-owned BMTC and KSRTC buses operated normally from Kempegowda bus station, while police were deployed across the platforms as a precaution.
Police personnel conducted rounds to prevent attempts to stop buses and incidents such as stone-pelting. Security was also stepped up in view of the possibility of activists attempting to disrupt bus services.
Schools, colleges and universities in Bengaluru functioned normally. Schools continued with regular classes, while some institutions conducted scheduled internal examinations.
There was also no visible impact at Kempegowda International Airport near Devanahalli.
Hail taxi riders, airport taxis and KSTDC taxis operated normally, while passengers continued to arrive and depart without disruption. CISF and state police personnel maintained security at the airport as a precaution.
Hassan also reported normal life, with buses, autos and other transport services operating as usual. Shops and other establishments remained open.
Ballari reported a lukewarm response to the bandh, with normal activities continuing. Police maintained a tight vigil and warned of strict action against anyone attempting to create trouble. Protests were expected to remain largely symbolic, with organisations planning to submit memoranda.
In Koppal, Kannada Rakshana Vedike activists staged a protest near the Heggnal toll gate. They stopped trucks, offered flowers to drivers and appealed to drivers to support the bandh and the Cauvery agitation. Police subsequently detained the protesters.
Across the state, several organisations that had initially announced support for the bandh later clarified that they would extend only moral support while participating in protests.
Traders, hotel owners, auto and taxi drivers, farmers' organisations and other groups in several districts said they supported the Cauvery issue but did not believe a shutdown was the solution.
The bandh comes amid growing opposition in Karnataka to the CWMA's decision to ensure the release of 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days starting Tuesday.
Karnataka has maintained that its reservoirs have received substantially lower-than-average inflows and that available water must be conserved for drinking purposes, agriculture and other essential requirements.
(With inputs from PTI)
