Mysuru: A bandh call issued by a section of pro-Kannada and farmers’ organisations over the Cauvery water release issue received a poor response in Mysuru and most Malnad districts on Thursday, even as protests continued in several areas. In Mandya, considered the epicentre of the agitation, protesters reportedly forced several commercial establishments to shut down.

In Mysuru, normal life remained largely unaffected, with schools and colleges functioning and public transport services operating as usual. The Mysuru Bar Association, however, decided to boycott court proceedings in opposition to the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s (CWRC) direction to release water.

Schools and transport services remain normal

According to authorities, educational institutions across Mysuru district remained open during the bandh.

Schools and colleges continued their regular activities, while buses, autos and cabs were also operating normally. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operated its scheduled services without disruption, officials said.

Private bus services also continued to operate across the district.

The continuation of public transport meant that commuters were able to travel to work and other destinations without facing the kind of disruption generally associated with a complete shutdown.

Officials continued to monitor the situation as protest marches and demonstrations were held at different locations.

Hotels remain open in Mysuru

The bandh also failed to significantly affect the hotel industry in Mysuru.

Hotel Owners Association president C Narayana Gowda said hotels across the city remained open.

The decision by hotel operators to continue business meant that restaurants and other establishments continued serving customers despite the bandh call.

The response contrasted sharply with the situation in Mandya, where several commercial establishments were reportedly forced to shut following protests by farmers and pro-Kannada organisations.

Advocates boycott court proceedings

While most services remained unaffected in Mysuru, lawyers decided to participate in the bandh by boycotting court proceedings.

Mysuru Bar Association president S Lokesh said advocates would stay away from court proceedings on Thursday in protest against the CWRC direction to release Cauvery water.

The decision marks one of the more visible forms of support for the agitation in Mysuru.

The Cauvery water issue has remained politically and emotionally sensitive in Karnataka, particularly in the Cauvery basin districts, where farmers depend heavily on the river for irrigation.

Farmers hold protest marches

Several farmers’ organisations held protest marches in Mysuru as part of the agitation.

The protesters are opposing the release of Cauvery water and demanding that the state government prioritise the water requirements of Karnataka’s farmers.

The demonstrations are part of a wider campaign against the direction to release water to Tamil Nadu.

Farmers’ groups have repeatedly argued that Karnataka’s reservoirs need to retain sufficient water to meet drinking water and irrigation requirements, particularly amid concerns over rainfall and water availability.

The protest marches in Mysuru remained largely peaceful, with normal movement continuing in most parts of the city.

Mandya sees stronger response

The situation was markedly different in Mandya, where the bandh received a stronger response.

Various Kannada and farmers’ organisations have been staging protests since morning, seeking to put pressure on the state government over the Cauvery water release.

Mandya has emerged as one of the main centres of the Cauvery agitation because of its location in the river basin and its large agricultural population.

Protesters reportedly forced several commercial establishments to close as part of the shutdown.

The stronger response in Mandya reflected the intensity of opposition among sections of farmers and Kannada organisations to the water release decision.

Poor response in Malnad districts

The bandh also received a poor response in Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Kodagu and Chamarajanagar districts.

Normal activities largely continued in these districts, with no major disruption reported to essential services.

The response indicates that the bandh did not achieve uniform participation across the region.

While some organisations supported the call and conducted demonstrations, shops, educational institutions and transport services continued to function in most places.

Cauvery water dispute at centre of protests

The bandh and protests are centred on opposition to the direction concerning the release of Cauvery water.

Farmers’ organisations and pro-Kannada groups have been demanding that Karnataka reconsider the decision in view of the state’s own water requirements.

The issue has traditionally triggered strong reactions in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, particularly during periods when reservoir levels and rainfall are closely watched.

Farmers in Karnataka’s Cauvery basin depend on adequate water supplies for agricultural activities, while Bengaluru and other areas also require water for domestic consumption.

The latest protests have therefore brought renewed attention to the competing demands on the river.

Normal life largely unaffected in Mysuru

Despite the bandh call, Mysuru remained largely normal during the day.

Schools and colleges functioned, KSRTC and private buses operated, and auto-rickshaws and cabs remained available. Hotels also continued business.

The court boycott by advocates and the farmers’ protest marches were among the main visible signs of the bandh in the city.

The relatively limited impact on essential and commercial services meant that residents were able to continue with their daily activities.

In contrast, Mandya witnessed a more pronounced shutdown, with protesters taking stronger measures to enforce the bandh.

Protesters seek government action

Farmers and Kannada organisations continue to demand that the Karnataka government take steps to protect the state’s water interests.

The protests are expected to continue as groups seek a response from the government on the Cauvery water release issue.

For now, the bandh has produced varying levels of disruption across the affected districts. While Mandya witnessed a strong mobilisation and forced closures, Mysuru and most Malnad districts saw only limited participation.

The continuation of normal transport, education and commercial activities in Mysuru suggests that the bandh failed to achieve a complete shutdown in the district, even as protests over the Cauvery water issue remained active.