Bengaluru: Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj has called for a statewide Karnataka bandh on August 13, urging people from all sections of society to participate in a united protest against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. The bandh has been scheduled from 6 am to 6 pm and comes amid escalating protests over the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s direction to Karnataka to release water to the neighbouring State.
Addressing reporters in Bengaluru on Friday, Nagaraj appealed to citizens, farmers, transport workers, traders, students and various organisations to support the shutdown, saying it was aimed at protecting Karnataka’s water interests.
Statewide bandh from 6 am to 6 pm
Announcing the protest, Vatal Nagaraj said the bandh would be observed across Karnataka, covering districts from Belagavi to Chamarajanagar and Mangaluru to Kolar.
He urged Kannadigas to treat the protest as a united movement rather than a symbolic exercise and appealed for widespread public participation.
According to Nagaraj, the agitation is intended to convey Karnataka’s opposition to the release of Cauvery water at a time when the State is facing concerns over its own water availability.
Farmers urged to join protest
Nagaraj made a special appeal to farmers to participate in large numbers, describing the bandh as a movement to safeguard Karnataka’s water resources.
He said the interests of farmers and people dependent on the Cauvery basin should be given priority while decisions regarding water release are taken.
The activist maintained that Karnataka should not release water to Tamil Nadu in view of its current water requirements and the prevailing conditions in the State.
Support from various organisations
According to Nagaraj, several Kannada organisations, farmers’ associations, women’s groups, labour unions and government employees’ organisations are expected to support the bandh.
He said efforts were also being made to secure the participation of transport-related organisations, including:
- Lorry owners’ associations
- Auto-rickshaw unions
- Private bus operators
- Hotel and restaurant associations
Nagaraj expressed confidence that these organisations would extend their support to the statewide shutdown.
Kannada film industry backs bandh
The veteran Kannada activist also claimed that the Kannada film industry had extended its support to the proposed bandh.
He appealed to students, workers, traders and members of various professional bodies to join the protest and demonstrate solidarity over the Cauvery water issue.
The bandh, he said, was intended to reflect a united stand by people across Karnataka on the long-standing inter-State water dispute.
Essential services exempt
While calling for widespread participation, Nagaraj clarified that essential services, including hospitals and emergency healthcare, would remain exempt from the bandh.
He urged members of the public to avoid unnecessary travel during the 12-hour shutdown and appealed to organisers and participants to ensure that the protest remained peaceful.
Authorities are expected to assess the level of support for the bandh in the coming days and issue advisories regarding public transport and other services if required.
Cauvery issue continues to fuel protests
The bandh call comes amid continuing demonstrations across Karnataka following the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s (CWMA) decision directing the State to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
Farmer organisations, pro-Kannada groups and several political leaders have opposed the directive, arguing that Karnataka is itself facing deficient rainfall and concerns over drinking water and irrigation.
Vatal Nagaraj described the proposed August 13 bandh as an important moment for Karnataka and appealed to all sections of society to participate peacefully in support of the State’s interests.