Cauvery row: Bengaluru braces for bandh on Sept 26; schools, IT offices to be shut

As the Cauvery water row has intensified, the pro-Kannada organisations have called for a day-long bandh on Tuesday, September 26, to protest against the Karnataka government's decision to release the water of Cauvery river to Tamil Nadu following the order of the Supreme Court of India. Both small and big shops, businesses are expected to remain closed, however, essential services like medical stores, hospitals and government offices will function as usual. 

The bandh is expected to severely impact the transportation services in the city as the Ola and Uber drivers association along with other drivers’ unions have extended their support to the Bengaluru band called between 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on September 26. Airport cabs are also anticipated to be affected by the bandh.

The organisations calling a bandh have also urged the school authorities and IT companies functioning in the city to declare a holiday. In a show of solidarity with the bandh, numerous industries, hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, and other small local businesses are expected to remain closed. 

The call was first made by the Karnataka Water Conservation Committee president Kurubur Shanthakumar, which has later gained support from different sections including drivers’ unions, restaurant associations along with Opposition parties in the state including Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (Secular) among others. 

SC refuses to interfere, Karnataka government bound by order 

The Supreme Court of India, while hearing the petition on September 21, has refused to intervene in the ongoing furore. The Court directed the Karnataka Government to maintain status-quo, that is releasing 5000 cusecs of water for 15 days. The order pertains to the period of September 13 to 27. The leaders including CM Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar have also met the Union Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat seeking resolution in the dispute. 

Upon being asked, Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar assured that the government is bound to protect the interests of the people of state, but said that the state government will be releasing water as per the court order. “It will be difficult to release (Cauvery) water in the current situation, but we have to follow the direction of the Supreme Court as well. We have to protect the interests of our state no matter what. This is our duty,” said DK Shivakumar.