Karnataka Bandh News LIVE: Karnataka witnessed a state-wide bandh today, with various pro-Kannada organizations and farmers' outfits calling for a 12-hour strike to protest the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu. The bandh, which was largely peaceful but had widespread impacts, brought the state to a temporary standstill.
The bandh was organized to voice opposition to the government's decision to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, citing the prevailing water crisis in Karnataka. The protesters argued that Karnataka's farmers were facing water scarcity, and the release of water to Tamil Nadu would exacerbate the problem.
Major cities and towns in Karnataka, including Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi, and Mangaluru, saw the shutdown of shops, commercial establishments, educational institutions, and public transportation. While buses remained off the roads, some private vehicles and taxis continued to operate, albeit cautiously.
Protesters took to the streets, blocking roads and highways in several areas, causing traffic disruptions. In certain places, groups of agitators staged demonstrations, holding placards and banners expressing their concerns about the Cauvery water release.
However, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar reassured the public that the government was actively safeguarding the state's interests and had taken steps to ensure that the bandh did not result in undue hardships. He mentioned that the bandh was peaceful, with many shops and businesses resuming their operations in various regions.
One of the key demands from the protesters and pro-Kannada organizations was to ask the Cauvery Management Authority (CWMA) to devise a new water-sharing formula with Tamil Nadu, especially during deficient rainfall years. DK Shivakumar, who also holds the irrigation portfolio, indicated that discussions were underway in this regard.
The bandh underscored the ongoing concerns over water resources and the long-standing Cauvery river dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It also highlighted the deep-rooted regional sentiments and the need for a comprehensive resolution that addresses the concerns of all stakeholders.
Check all the LIVE updates here.
The Bengaluru Police detained over 700 agitators who tried to block roads during the day-long shutdown.
Addressing a press conference in the evening, Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda said the bandh passed off peacefully in the city, where there were no reports of stone pelting, forceful closure of shops, and stopping of vehicles plying on roads. A total of 785 protesters were detained and taken into custody as a preventive measure. But they were all released later, he said. Around 1,500 protesters had gathered at Freedom Park here as part of the protests. Security was tightened in Karnataka with heavy police deployment across the state.
Amid a row over Cauvery River water sharing raging between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, members of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Swabhimani Sene on Thursday interrupted a press conference being held by actor Siddharth for his film and demanded him to leave the venue.
The actor was promoting his upcoming film 'Chikku' in Bengaluru when the members of Karnataka Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Swabhimani Sene disrupted the event, saying that it was not an appropriate time for him to do that as Tamil Nadu is demanding Cauvery River water from Karnataka.
Soon after the interruption the actor left the venue.
On Friday actor Prakash Raj apologised to actor Siddharth after the incident
Karnataka's uncompromising stand on sharing Cauvery water with lower riparian states does not augur well for amity between states, Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan said and remarked that linguistic minorities can live without fear only when cordiality prevailed among the neighbouring states.
Also, he termed as 'unwarranted,' the ruckus created by pro-Kannada groups at the press conference of Tamil actor Siddharth in Bengaluru, over the Cauvery issue.
Describing as "unfair" Karnataka's hard line on not accepting the Supreme Court's verdict nor heeding to Cauvery Water Management Authority or accepting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin's plea for Cauvery water to sustain agriculture in the state, Duraimurugan said the neighbouring state has declined to uphold the law of natural justice which is to ensure water reached the tail-end areas.
Karnataka refused to accept even the order of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee, he said.
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Tejasvi Surya on Friday lambasted the Congress government for its "very casual" approach to the issue.
The MP from Bengaluru South alleged that the Congress is approaching the issue in a "duplicitous manner" to help its INDIA bloc partner, DMK in Tamil Nadu.
“There is no coordination between the CM and the deputy CM. The state government is very casual in its approach. Are they trying to approach this issue in this duplicitous manner because it will help their INDI alliance partner, the DMK government for 2024?” he asked.
Karnataka Cauvery Bandh News LIVE: ADGP Traffic and Road Safety, Bengaluru Alok Kumar transferred with effect from 01.10.2023 and posted until further orders as ADGP Training, Bengaluru
Karnataka Cauvery Bandh News LIVE: The Karnataka bandh caused significant disruptions in capital city Bengaluru and other parts of the state. The Police imposed section 144 in many areas, including Bengaluru Urban, Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagara, Ramanagara, and Hassan. Schools and colleges in these districts were declared closed for the day.
‘Kannada Okkoota’, the party that called the Bandh, represents a coalition of Kannada and farmers' organizations and had previously called for a Bengaluru bandh on the same issue just a few days prior.
A total of 44 flights from Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport were cancelled. Many bus services, particularly in the Cauvery basin districts of Mysuru, Mandya, and Chamarajanagar were also cancelled today.
In these affected cities, most shops, businesses, and eateries remained closed, and private vehicles were scarce as state-owned transport corporations operated only a limited number of buses.
Protestors resorted to burning a portrait of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and the Kannada film industry staged a sit-in demonstration in Bengaluru. Notable actors like Shivarajkumar, Darshan, 'Duniya' Vijay, and Dhruva Sarja participated in the protest.
Many IT companies and firms in Bengaluru instructed their employees to work from home.
Karnataka Cauvery Bandh News LIVE: The Cauvery River originates at Talakaveri in Karnataka's Coorg district and meanders for nearly 800 kilometers, coursing through Tamil Nadu before eventually emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
Within Karnataka, several dams, including the historic Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) dam dating back to the British colonial era, impede the natural flow of water heading towards Tamil Nadu.
For numerous years, a protracted legal battle has ensued over the allocation of water resources and the construction of reservoirs along the river. The Karnataka government has disclosed that it has expended more than 1.2 billion Indian rupees ($14.45 million) in litigation expenses related to this dispute since 1990.
It is worth noting that tributaries of the Cauvery River traverse through Kerala state and the federally administered region of Puducherry, both of which have previously been embroiled in this protracted water dispute.
In response to these persistent conflicts, the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal was formally established in 1990, with the aim of addressing and resolving the intricate issues surrounding the equitable distribution of the Cauvery River's waters among the concerned states and territories.
Karnataka Cauvery Bandh News LIVE: Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, announced on Friday that the state intends to request the Cauvery Management Authority (CWMA) to develop a fresh water-sharing formula with Tamil Nadu for drought-prone years. He stated, "Following today's Cauvery Management Authority meeting, a determination will be reached regarding the specifics of the formula applicable during periods of water scarcity." Shivakumar, who also oversees the irrigation portfolio, shared this information with reporters in Sadashivnagar.
Karnataka Cauvery Bandh News LIVE: “There is no coordination between the CM and the deputy CM. The state government is very casual in its approach. Are they trying to approach this issue in this duplicitous manner because it will help their INDI alliance partner, the DMK government for 2024?” BJP's Tejasvi Surya asked.
"The state government is releasing Cauvery River water to Tamil Nadu. If Cauvery River water is going to Tamil Nadu like this, the people of Bengaluru will not have drinking water. The Karnataka government has failed to present its case before CWMA (Cauvery Water Management Authority),” he further said.
Karnataka Cauvery Bandh News LIVE: News is coming in that government of Karnataka in thinking of holding a special session of the Legislative Assembly to decide on the Cauvery issue.
Karnataka Cauvery Bandh News LIVE: BJP's Amit Malviya took to X (formerly Twitter) and said, "Congress has completely mismanaged Karnataka. There isn’t one thing they have done right since they hoodwinked the people of the State and grabbed power. The promises remain unfulfilled. Bangalore is falling apart. Traffic vows have spiralled out of hand. All infrastructure development has come to a grinding halt. Cauvery water sharing has been handled in the most ham-handed manner, leading to widespread protests.
Moral of the story: never vote the Congress, if you want peace and development."
Karnataka Bandh News LIVE: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader TKS Elangovan on Friday alleged ongoing protests in Karnataka against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu to be “just political”.
Elangovan said that the Cauvery is not Karnataka’s property.
"The Karnataka BJP leaders are provoking the government of Karnataka not to release water and because of local politics, the ruling party is also submitting to that. Cauvery is not the property of Karnataka that they should know. Cauvery water wherever it runs, water should be given to every state and particularly to lower riparian states. The strike is just political," Elangovan said.
Karnataka Bandh News LIVE: Self-styled guru and founder of Isha Foundation Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev has also jumped in the debate between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over sharing of Cauvery waters.
He said, “Mother Cauvery does not know which state we belong to but she is suffering with depletion and drying up during the summer months. Bringing large scale tree based agriculture and vegetating the 83,000 sq kms of Cauvery basin is the only way Cauvery will flow 12 months of the year in abundance. Let us strengthen and enhance Mother Cauvery rather than fighting over depleted waters. Let wisdom prevail.”
Karnataka Bandh News LIVE: Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister, D K Shivakumar, expressed his belief that a bandh concerning the Cauvery river dispute was unnecessary, given the state government's commitment to safeguarding its interests.
The bandh, initiated by various pro-Kannada organizations and agricultural groups, was conducted in protest of the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Shivakumar conveyed his perspective, stating that the bandh called by certain organizations was superfluous.
He emphasized the government's dedication to protecting the state's interests, assuring that minimal disruptions occurred during the peaceful bandh, with vehicles operating and businesses open in many areas as usual.
Karnataka Bandh News LIVE: Actors Shivarajkumar, Shruti and Srii Murali stage a protest during the 'Karnataka bandh' called over the Cauvery water issue, in Bengaluru,
Karnataka Bandh News LIVE: Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have been in a longstanding dispute over the allocation of Cauvery river water dating back to the British colonial period. A resolution was reached in 1924 when the princely state of Mysore and the presidency of Madras agreed to a compromise.
Read full story here.
Karnataka Bandh News LIVE: Pro-Kannada and farmer groups take part in a protest against the sharing of water from the Cauvery river with the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, in Bengaluru, India September 29, 2023.
Karnataka Bandh News LIVE: The Kannada film industry on Friday joined the bandh called to oppose release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu with actors, producers, directors and technicians staging a sit-in demonstration here.
Actors Shivarajkumar, Darshan, 'Duniya' Vijay and Dhruva Sarja were among those who took part in the protest held near Sri Gururaja Kalyana Mantapa.
The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce on Thursday announced support to the day-long bandh after a meeting, Theatres across the State have canceled the shows till evening, with the Karnataka Film Exhibitors Association backing the shut-down. PTI.
Karnataka Bandh News LIVE: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said, "There was a meeting of the Cauvery Management Authority today. We have submitted all our facts. I will hold a meeting with retired Supreme Court Judges today. I will talk with our legal team if we can question this in the Supreme Court. We will decide what to do after talking to them. Let us see what happens next."
The Karnataka bandh called by the 'Kannada Okkoota' to oppose release of water to Tamil Nadu received a good response in Bengaluru and other southern parts of the State on Friday, disrupting normal life. Authorities have clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code in Bengaluru Urban, Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagara, Ramanagara and Hassan districts, and declared a holiday for schools and colleges there.
Film fraternity supports Karnataka bandh
The Kannada film industry on Friday joined the bandh called to oppose release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu with actors, producers, directors and technicians staging a sit-in demonstration here.
Actors Shivarajkumar, Darshan, 'Duniya' Vijay and Dhruva Sarja were among those who took part in the protest held near Sri Gururaja Kalyana Mantapa.
The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce on Thursday announced support to the day-long bandh after a meeting, Theatres across the State have canceled the shows till evening, with the Karnataka Film Exhibitors Association backing the shut-down.
As many as 44 flights to and from the Kempegowda International Airport here were cancelled owing to the Karnataka bandh over the Cauvery water sharing issue with Tamil Nadu, airport authorities said on Friday.
Similarly, state transport corporations too cancelled many of their bus services, especially in the Cauvery basin districts of Mysuru, Mandya and Chamarajanagar, where the bandh had the most impact.
Some passengers had a harrowing time as they missed their flights, buses and trains due to the day-long shutdown. Many passengers were distraught following the cancellation of flights and bus services.
"We cancelled 44 flights today. They include 22 flights to and an equal number of flights from Bengaluru due to the strike," an airport official told PTI. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) said there were only 59.88 per cent bus operations in southern parts of Karnataka. The worst-hit KSRTC divisions in terms of operations were Mysuru and Chamarajanagar. Against the scheduled departure of 447 buses, only seven plied in Mysuru while in Chamarajanagar, eight out of 247 bus services operated. Mandya, Chikkamagaluru and Bengaluru witnessed 37.25 per cent, 51.49 per cent and 57.39 per cent operations, respectively, against the scheduled departures. (PTI)
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader TKS Elangovan on Friday alleged ongoing protests in Karnataka against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu to be “just political”.
Elangovan said that the Cauvery is not Karnataka’s property, further alleging that the state government is “submitting” to local politics.
"The Karnataka BJP leaders are provoking the government of Karnataka not to release water and because of local politics, the ruling party is also submitting to that. Cauvery is not the property of Karnataka that they should know. Cauvery water wherever it runs, water should be given to every state and particularly to lower riparian states. The strike is just political," Elangovan said. (ANI)
Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar says, "Karnataka bandh is totally peaceful...All the people are cooperating. We have given full protection to everyone. We requested the institutions not to call for a bandh since there is no consent from the Supreme Court or High Court. So, Bengaluru and Karnataka are safe...In the afternoon there is a meeting, I have sent our team there...We will discuss various issues..."
The Kannada film industry on Friday joined the bandh called to oppose release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu with actors, producers, directors and technicians staging a sit-in demonstration here.
Actors Shivarajkumar, Darshan, 'Duniya' Vijay and Dhruva Sarja were among those who took part in the protest held near Sri Gururaja Kalyana Mantapa.
The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce on Thursday announced support to the day-long bandh after a meeting, Theatres across the State have canceled the shows till evening, with the Karnataka Film Exhibitors Association backing the shut-down. (PTI)
Film fraternity extends support to pro-Kannada organisations, protesting over the Cauvery Water Issue.
“The Cauvery water issue is being politicised... Cauvery water is the lifeline for this area... I am from this district (Mandya) and we will always extend support to this cause,” said Kannada Director and actor Prem.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader TKS Elangovan on Friday alleged ongoing protests in Karnataka against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu to be “just political”.
Elangovan said that the Cauvery is not Karnataka’s property, further alleging that the state government is “submitting” to local politics.
"The Karnataka BJP leaders are provoking the government of Karnataka not to release water and because of local politics, the ruling party is also submitting to that. Cauvery is not the property of Karnataka that they should know. Cauvery water wherever it runs, water should be given to every state and particularly to lower riparian states. The strike is just political," Elangovan said. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Water Resources minister Duraimurugan speaks on Cauvery Water issue.
Bengaluru, Karnataka: On the Cauvery Water Issue, BJP Yuva Morcha National President and MP Tejasvi Surya says, "The Water situation in Karnataka is extremely grim. The state has suffered a 60% deficit in rainfall this year. The state needs about 106 TMC of water, it has only 50 TMC water... Out of the 34 talukas in the Cauvery basin, 32 are declared a severe drought hit. Farmers do not have water to support their one-standing crop... In this scenario, releasing additional water to Tamil Nadu will severely compromise the state's drinking water needs. This is a very grim reality that needs to be presented before the Cauvery Water Management Authority…There is no coordination between the CM and the deputy CM... The state government is very casual in its approach... Are they trying to approach this issue in this duplicitous manner because it is going to help their INDI alliance partner, the DMK government for 2024... Cauvery is a national asset... Karnataka should not suffer injustice because another state is not sharing distress... There is a rainfall deficit here... When you are sharing surplus, you must also come forward to share distress. This is the argument of Karnataka made before the Cauvery water management authority... and I don't find anything unreasonable in the position..."
On the Cauvery water sharing issue, Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan says, "We will again demand the release of 5000 cusecs of water from Karnataka...We will appeal to the Supreme Court and they will direct the Karnataka government."
The Karnataka bandh called by the 'Kannada Okkoota' to oppose release of water to Tamil Nadu received a good response in Bengaluru and other southern parts of the State on Friday, disrupting normal life.
Authorities have clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code in Bengaluru Urban, Mandya, Mysuru, Chamarajanagara, Ramanagara and Hassan districts, and declared a holiday for schools and colleges there.
'Kannada Okkoota' is an umbrella organsation of Kannada and farmers' outfits. A Bengaluru bandh was observed over the same reason on Tuesday. Most of the shops, business establishments and eateries in Cauvery basin districts such as Mandya in southern part of the State downed their shutters. Private vehicles were off the roads in those areas.
The state-owned transport corporations operated very few buses in the southern districts fearing a backlash. The bandh evoked a mixed response in other regions of the State. (PTI)
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya says, "The state government is releasing Cauvery River water to Tamil Nadu. If Cauvery River water is going to Tamil Nadu like this, the people of Bengaluru will not have drinking water. The Karnataka government has failed to present its case before CWMA (Cauvery Water Management Authority)."
As many as 44 flights to and from the Kempegowda International Airport here were cancelled owing to the Karnataka bandh over the Cauvery water sharing issue with Tamil Nadu, airport authorities said on Friday.
Similarly, state transport corporations too cancelled many of their bus services, especially in the Cauvery basin districts of Mysuru, Mandya and Chamarajanagar, where the bandh had the most impact.
Some passengers had a harrowing time as they missed their flights, buses and trains due to the day-long shutdown. Many passengers were distraught following the cancellation of flights and bus services. Read the full story here.
Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan said "We will again demand the release of 5000 cusecs of water from Karnataka...We will appeal to the Supreme Court and they will direct the Karnataka government."
"We have come over here to protest against the Cauvery water issue. This is very old issue and we should solve this problem at the earliest. All the parties of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka should sit and sort out this matter," said a member of a pro-Kannada organisation in Bengaluru on the Cauvery River water issue.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Friday demanded that the state government release the activists detained during the bandh to protest the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
Today's bandh was called by the 'Kannada Okkoota', an umbrella organsation of Kannada and farmers' outfits, to oppose the release of water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
As the southern parts of the state are witnessing a bandh by farmers and pro-Kannada outfits over the Cauvery issue, Kumaraswamy, the JD(S) second-in-command, said the unity of the 'Kannada family' should be a wake-up call to the neighbouring state.
"Entire Karnataka is throbbing for the Cauvery struggle. Today's bandh has evoked good response from all quarters," he wrote on 'X' (formerly Twitter). (PTI)
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM and Irrigation Minister DK Shivakumar will hold a meeting on the Cauvery water-sharing issue today. (ANI)
In response to the Cauvery Regulatory Committee's directive to release 3,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu, farmer unions and pro-Kannada organizations have announced a Karnataka Bandh for today.
These protests come in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's recent decision to refrain from intervening in the implementation of water-sharing agreements between the states and the directives of the Cauvery Water Management Authority and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee. Here are the top ten updates regarding the Cauvery water row. Read the full story here.
Bengaluru police on Friday detained members of pro-Kannada organisations protesting over the Cauvery river water dispute near Attibele in Karnataka.
Tamil Nadu registration vehicles were stopped at the border town of Zuzuvadi in Tamil Nadu. Around 400 plus buses from various districts in Tamil Nadu are stranded in Hosur as police have prevented them from moving ahead. Earlier in the morning Pro Kannada Organization protested at the border.
Farmer unions and pro-Kannada organisations have called for a Karnataka Bandh today after the Cauvery Regulatory Committee (CWRC) ordered to release of 3000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu. (ANI)
The Karnataka state has been witnessing massive protests after the Cauvery Regulatory Committee (CWRC) ordered to release of 3000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu. Many farmer groups and pro-Kannada organizations are raising slogans about the Cauvery river belonging to them.
Two 2 bandhs have been held this week, one Bengaluru Bandh on 26 September and a statewide bandh which is being held today i.e. on 29 September. In view of the 'Karnataka Bandh' called today, the Bengaluru administration has decided to call a day off for all educational institutions within the city on Friday. Read the full story here.