Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Designed by: Mohsin Shaikh
Pro-Kannada organisations, spearheaded by the Kannada Chaluvali group, have jointly issued a call for a state-wide bandh in Karnataka for September 29. This protest is in response to the contentious release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu
The bandh call finds its leadership in the prominent figure of former MLA Vatal Nagaraj, who also holds a pivotal role in the Kannada Chaluvali group. Nagaraj has unequivocally declared their unwavering commitment to the bandh scheduled for September 29. This commitment stands despite their recent withdrawal of support for the Bengaluru bandh, which was slated for September 26
Vatal Nagaraj has exuded confidence in garnering extensive support for the bandh across the state. Their vision encompasses protests staged in front of the Raj Bhavan, strategic blockades along national highways, and disruptions targeting airports. The bandh enjoys the endorsement of public transportation services, including buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws
The bandh's ambition is to transcend regional boundaries, aiming to transform into a 'sampoorna Karnataka' bandh, effectively reaching and impacting all districts throughout the state
Activists have laid out their plans for the Karnataka Bandh scheduled for September 29, including blockades on national highways and disruptions at airports. These actions are intended as a collective expression of dissent against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu
A noteworthy development is the change in stance by organisations that had initially pledged their support for farmers' protests but have since withdrawn support for the Tuesday Bandh. These groups, which include the Ola Uber Drivers' and Owners' Association and the Hotels Association, have now realigned themselves to actively participate in the impending state-wide bandh on Friday
In contrast to these shifts, the Karnataka BJP has extended its unwavering support to the farmers and stands aligned with numerous organisations that continue to endorse the Tuesday bandh
Private school managements have voiced apprehensions regarding the disruptive nature of bandhs, particularly when they coincide with examination periods. As a response, they have formally requested government intervention in making determinations about school closures during bandh events
While these private school associations express solidarity with the ongoing protests, they simultaneously emphasise the paramount importance of safeguarding the well-being of students. To this end, they have advocated for government discretion in declaring holidays when deemed necessary
Shashi Kumar, the general secretary of the Association of Management of Primary and Secondary Schools of Karnataka, has specifically urged the government to exercise its discretionary powers in order to address the issue of school closures during bandhs. Typically, decisions pertaining to holiday declarations during bandhs fall under the purview of district administrations
Notably, the authority to declare holidays during bandhs is traditionally vested in district administrations. This decentralised approach allows for localised decision-making that takes into account the prevailing circumstances and safety considerations within specific regions. Cauvery B, the commissioner of the Department of School Education and Literacy, has emphasised the significance of this decentralised decision-making process
The 'Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti,' led by farmer leader Kuruburu Shanthakumar, has called for Bengaluru bandh on Tuesday to protest Karnataka's release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Police authorities have not given permission for any kind of processions in the city. To maintain security, Bengaluru Police has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC from midnight Monday to midnight Tuesday and has not permitted processions in the city. The Bengaluru Police Commissioner emphasized that no one can forcefully implement the bandh by using force