Cauvery dispute: Bengaluru bandh on Sept 26; institutions asked to stay shut

Many businesses, especially small and local establishments, are expected to remain closed in solidarity with the bandh on September 26.

To register their demand that the Karnataka government refrain from releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, various organisations, including farmers and pro-Kannada groups, have called for Bengaluru bandh from 6am to 6pm on September 26.

Normal life is expected to be disrupted in Bengaluru as driver unions, including those representing app-based auto rickshaws and cabs, have decided to join the bandh.

Farmers' leader Kuruburu Shanthakumar has appealed to schools, colleges, IT companies, and the film chamber to declare a holiday. He has also demanded that the state government convene a special assembly session. Speaking to reporters at Freedom Park, he said that they will stage a protest march from Town Hall at 11 am to Mysuru Bank Circle on September 26.

Opposition parties, including BJP, JDS, Aam Aadmi Party and others have also extended their support for the bandh.

Tanveer Pasha, president of Ola Uber Driver's and Owner's Association, confirmed their participation in the Bengaluru bandh. Airport cabs are also expected to be affected by the bandh.

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) will operate Namma Metro services as usual, but state-run Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will take a decision after assessing the law and order situation.

However, bus services will be affected as the AITUC-backed KSRTC Staff & Workers Federation, a major union, has decided to participate in the Bengaluru bandh. HV Anantha Subba Rao, president of KSRTC Staff and Workers Federation, said they fully support the bandh. "We have instructed all employees in Bengaluru to ensure the success of this bandh by not taking any buses out of BMTC depots."

Many industries, hotels and restaurants, shopping malls, and other small local business establishments are expected to remain closed in solidarity with the bandh. PC Rao, president of Bruhath Bangalore Hotels Association, has expressed moral support for the bandh.

However, essential services, including hospitals,  nursing homes, medical shops, government offices will remain open.

Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda said all necessary security measures and precautions are being taken. Officers are on high alert for incidents such as stone pelting on any Tamil Nadu-registered buses or private vehicles, especially in border areas.

Meanwhile, Mandya district, the hotbed of the Cauvery basin, remained closed on September 23, in response to the bandh call by farmers' outfits against the release of Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu. Similar protests took place in Bengaluru at locations like Freedom Park.

On September 21, the Supreme Court refused to interfere with the Cauvery Water Management Authority's order to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu. The Karnataka government cited rain deficit in the state as the reason for its inability to release Cauvery water.

Karnataka cabinet on September 22 decided to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu as required until September 26 while simultaneously starting the process to go ahead with its Mekedatu project which is opposed by the neighbouring state.