Karnataka Observes Statewide Bandh Over Cauvery Water Dispute

Karnataka observed a statewide bandh on Thursday, August 13, 2026, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to protest the Cauvery Water Management Authority's order to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days. The shutdown was led by Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj and the Karnataka Okkuta, who also stated the protest aimed to highlight irrigation issues including the Mekedatu and Kalasa-Banduri projects. Despite the call, normal life remained largely unaffected as many organizations provided only moral support. Schools, banks, hospitals, pharmacies, and public transport continued to operate. The Karnataka Associated Management of Schools withdrew a previous closure advisory to avoid academic loss, though staff were encouraged to wear black ribbons as a sign of solidarity. Bengaluru City Police appealed for peace and deployed security at sensitive locations, warning that violence or road blockades would be dealt with firmly. In Mandya, the district administration imposed restrictions on liquor sales and increased security. Union minister H.D. Kumaraswamy criticized the water release order, stating it threatened Bengaluru's drinking water security during a period of scarcity. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court deferred a hearing on a related plea from Tamil Nadu to August 17 because Justice Vikram Nath was ill with viral fever. In a separate incident, Tamil Nadu police arrested over 50 people, including Kannada Jagriti Vedike president Manjunath Deva, for disrupting traffic during a pro-Mekedatu protest at the state border.