Bengaluru
The escalating flow of Cauvery River water within the state has triggered widespread protests across Mandya, Ramnagar, and Bangalore. Numerous organizations are expressing their discontent over the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, culminating in a scheduled bandh in Bengaluru on Tuesday, September 26, with over 150 organizations pledging their support. The call for a Bengaluru bandh was issued by Kuruburu Shanthakumar, the State President of the State Sugarcane Growers’ Association. This decision received unanimous backing from various associations, reflecting the collective concern over the diversion of Cauvery river water. Kuruburu Shanthakumar emphasized that the bandh should resonate across all taluks, underscoring the need for unity among residents to address the pressing issue at hand. The call to action was echoed by Rangaswamy, President of the Union of Street Vendors Organizations in Bangalore, who offered moral support for the Bengaluru bandh. The impact of the bandh is set to reverberate beyond Bengaluru, extending to Ramanagara district and the vital Mysore-Maddur section, heavily reliant on Cauvery river water. During the bandh, essential services such as hotels, auto and taxi services, Ola and Uber rides, street vending, petrol stations, schools, colleges, and even BBMP employees are likely to be disrupted. Additionally, BMTC bus services may face disruptions, affecting daily commuters. Businesses, industries, and commercial establishments, along with Chikkapet shops, KSRTC buses, and markets, are expected to remain closed during the bandh. This collective protest underscores the significance of water resources and highlights the need for a resolution to the ongoing Cauvery river water dispute between the states, as the people of Karnataka unite in their call for justice.
