Karnataka Bandh Called Over Cauvery Water Dispute

Several Kannada organizations have called for a Karnataka bandh on Thursday, August 13, from 6 am to 6 pm, following a directive from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) for Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days. Vatal Nagaraj, convener of Kannada Chalavali Vatal Paksha, urged full support for the strike, while the Mandya District Farmers' Welfare Protection Committee announced protests near the Visvesvaraya statue in Mandya. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated that the government must protect farmers while abiding by court orders, noting that he would discuss the legal and irrigation situation with officials.

Support for the shutdown appears divided in Mysuru. The Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) has backed the bandh, but the Karnataka Kavalu Pade announced it would only provide indirect support through a symbolic demonstration at Hardinge Circle. The Mysuru District Hotel Owners' Association has explicitly refused to support the bandh, citing the economic distress caused by rising prices and the fact that recent rains have filled reservoirs. Additionally, the Karnataka Associated Managements of Schools (KAMS) rolled back a previous call for school closures, confirming that schools will operate normally on August 13, though staff may wear black ribbons in solidarity.

Essential services including banks, hospitals, pharmacies, and public transport are expected to remain unaffected. The Mysuru rural division of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) confirmed that bus services will operate as scheduled, though they have requested police security at depots. The Mysuru City Police have warned that no permission has been granted for protests in the city and stated that strict legal action will be taken against anyone who blocks roads, forces businesses to close, or damages public property.