Karnataka Bandh: Schools, Banks, Hospitals Remain Open As State Protests Cauvery Water Order

The Supreme Court has deferred to August 17 the hearing on Tamil Nadu’s plea seeking directions to Karnataka to comply with the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s (CWMA) order on releasing Cauvery water.

The hearing, earlier scheduled for Thursday, was deferred after Justice Vikram Nath, who was set to head the bench, fell ill with viral fever. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the matter will now be heard by a bench headed by Justice Nath, who is expected to resume judicial work next week.

The Bengaluru City Police have appealed for calm and cooperation as various organisations participate in the Karnataka bandh over the Cauvery water-sharing dispute.

In a press note, the police said they respect citizens’ right to protest peacefully and within the law, but stressed that other citizens must also be allowed to carry out their daily activities without obstruction.

Police warned that no individual or organisation should force, threaten or compel anyone to participate in the bandh, shut shops, establishments or institutions, obstruct vehicular movement, or make anyone join protests against their will. They urged all organisations and members of the public to cooperate in maintaining peace, public order and normalcy in the city.

Tamil Nadu Police on Thursday arrested Kannada Jagriti Vedike president Manjunath Deva and more than 50 others after a protest over Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam allegedly disrupted traffic near the Tamil Nadu-Karnataka border in Krishnagiri.

The protesters gathered near the Karnataka entry point at Jujuwadi and staged a sit-in opposing Tamil Nadu’s stand against the Mekedatu project. Authorities stopped buses and other vehicles as a precaution, leaving passengers travelling towards Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka stranded.

Some passengers reportedly walked across the border to find alternative transport. Police later cleared the protesters, following which traffic resumed normally between the two states.

The Cauvery water dispute has returned to Karnataka’s political spotlight after the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.

The directive has drawn opposition in Karnataka, where the government has cited deficient rainfall and drought-like conditions, raising concerns over drinking water, irrigation and livestock needs.

The latest order has also revived the debate over Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that no approval is granted to the project unless it complies with the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal’s 2007 award and the Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment.

The issue has sparked political exchanges and protests in Karnataka, with pro-Kannada organisations and farmers arguing that the state cannot release water while facing shortages. Tamil Nadu leaders, meanwhile, have opposed the Mekedatu project, intensifying tensions between the neighbouring states.

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said the government would not compromise on protecting the interests of the state’s farmers amid the Cauvery bandh call. He said many organisations respected the Chief Minister’s appeal against the bandh, while officials were engaging with farmers who remained dissatisfied in some areas.

Police have stepped up security across the city amid the Karnataka bandh, with personnel deployed at bus stands, railway stations and other sensitive locations. Commissioner Bhushan Borase said organisations may appeal for public support, but forced closure of shops or disruption of traffic will not be permitted, ensuring peaceful protests.

Ahead of assembly session, Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar said that the Kannada activists met him and decided to call of the bandh.

“Today is first day. I am very happy, all the Kannada activists met me. They have withdrawn their bandh call. And today is the first day of the assembly after I took over as Chief Minister. I thank all the Kannada activists for helping us to have a very peaceful Karnataka. You and all of them, we will work as a Team Karnataka," he said.