Kannada organisations call for bandh on August 13 against order to release Cauvery water to T.N.

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar appeals to them to withdraw their bandh plans

Kannada organisations have called for a Karnataka bandh on August 13 in protest against the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) asking Karnataka to adhere to the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s (CWRC) order to release water to Tamil Nadu. Incidentally, the monsoon session of the Karnataka legislature is also scheduled to commence on August 13.

A decision to call for the Karnataka bandh was taken at a meeting of various Kannada organisations held in Bengaluru under the leadership of Vatal Nagaraj, veteran leader and former MLA.

Vatal Nagaraj, veteran leader and former MLA, accompanied by leaders of various pro-Kannada organisations, addressing a press conference after announcing a Karnataka bandh against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, in Bengaluru on Friday (July 31).
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN

“We have called for a 12-hour bandh from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on August 13 throughout the State,” Mr. Nagaraj told media persons after the meeting.

He said there was no other option except to put up a strong resistance against the order on water releases as Karnataka was reeling under distress.

“I beg all the Kannadigas to participate in the bandh. Please do not oppose it and also desist from just offering moral support,” he said. He particularly asked farmers and residents of Bengaluru to actively participate in the proposed bandh.

Mr. Vatal said organisations representing various cross-sections of society had offered their support to the proposed bandh. According to him, the organisations that had backed the bandh call included the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce, the Karnataka State Government Employees Association, the Lorry Owners and Cab Drivers’ Associations, student bodies and labour unions.

CM appeals against bandh

Meanwhile, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has appealed to the Kannada organisations to desist from the bandh. “There is no need to call for a bandh, as we (the government) are also in your favour. You will not get any relief by calling for a bandh,” he told the Kannada organisations.

Pointing out that there were orders by the courts against causing inconvenience to people through bandhs and protests, he said he would humbly request them to desist from calling for a bandh. He also sought to assure the Kannada organisations that his government would not act against the State’s interests.