1. Bengaluru Bandh Against Cauvery Water Release
Various organizations in Bengaluru have called for a bandh on Tuesday, September 26, demanding that the state government refrain from releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
2. Decision at Freedom Park Meeting
These organizations met at Freedom Park within the city to collectively make this decision. Kuruburu Shanthakumar, a prominent peasant leader, is leading the call for the bandh and has sought cooperation from different communities.
3. Appeal for a Shutdown
Shanthakumar has appealed for the declaration of a holiday in Bengaluru, urging schools, colleges, film chambers, and IT companies to remain closed. Additionally, Shanthakumar Siddaramaiah has asked the government to hold a special assembly session to discuss the issue of Cauvery river waters.
4. Diverse Participation in the Bandh Movement
A wide range of organizations, including the Aam Aadmi Party, various civil welfare groups, and pro-Kannada organizations, actively participated in the meeting to support the bandh.
5. Protests and Traffic Disruption
Various groups in Bengaluru have taken to the streets to protest against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. They attempted to disrupt traffic at multiple locations in the city.
6. Karnataka Government’s Decision
The Karnataka government, in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, decided to comply with the Supreme Court order to release water to Tamil Nadu. This decision sparked the bandh movement.
7. Supreme Court Ruling
On September 21, the Supreme Court refused to intervene in the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s order to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu, leading to further protests.
8. Protests in Mandya
Various organizations in Mandya are also protesting against the state government’s decision to release water to Tamil Nadu.
9. Monsoon Conditions and Drought
The Karnataka government has argued in the Supreme Court that they cannot release Cauvery water due to the monsoon conditions in the state, citing a significant rainfall deficit in August. This situation has prompted relief measures by the state government for drought-prone areas.
10. Bandh Announcement
Kuruburu Shanthakumar, the president of Karnataka Jalsarakshana Samithi, announced the bandh for September 26. Pro-Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj held a meeting of various organizations in Bengaluru to confirm the date of the strike.
11. Resolution Amidst Confusion
After initial confusion over the bandh’s date, Shanthakumar and Vatal Nagaraj met to reach a final decision. However, Rythu Sangam leader Santhakumar has stated that there is no intention to withdraw the bandh declared for September 26.