Bengaluru: Several pro-Kannada organisations have called for a Karnataka bandh on August 13, raising demands related to the Cauvery water dispute and the implementation of key irrigation projects, including Mekedatu.
The bandh call comes amid renewed tensions over the Cauvery water-sharing issue after the Cauvery Water Management Authority upheld a direction for Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.
Organisations seek action on irrigation projects
The organisations are also pressing for progress on long-pending irrigation projects, including the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project. The project has remained a major point of contention between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has described Mekedatu as a long-term solution to the Cauvery issue and reiterated that the project should move forward. He has also said the proposed reservoir would provide significant benefits to Tamil Nadu while helping Karnataka with water management and power generation.
Bandh expected to affect normal life
The statewide shutdown has been announced for August 13 from 6 am to 6 pm. Essential services such as hospitals and ambulance services are expected to remain exempted.
Several organisations, including representatives from the Kannada film industry and sections of the education sector, have extended support to the bandh. Organisers have appealed to businesses, transport operators and other sectors to participate.
The Karnataka government has appealed to organisations to withdraw the bandh while maintaining that it remains committed to protecting the interests of the state and its farmers. An all-party meeting has also backed efforts to address the Cauvery issue.
The August 13 bandh is therefore expected to put renewed focus on Karnataka’s longstanding water disputes and demands for faster implementation of irrigation projects.