Karnataka Bandh on September 29; Pro-Kannada Organisations Seek a Day-Long Strike

The Supreme Court of India declined to intervene in the Cauvery Water Management Authority's order resolving the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu dispute over the Cauvery River. The Karnataka government consented to the authority's decision to provide 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.

This government stance was not well received by farmers' organisations and pro-Kannada activists, who have called for a Bengaluru Bandh to ensure their demands are addressed by the government. A call for Bengaluru Bandh on September 26, 2023, has already been issued, and now a collection of pro-Kannada organisations has asked for a second day-long protest, Karnataka Bandh, on September 29 in the same week.

Vatal Nagaraj stated at a press conference on September 25 that they will not back down from the bandh call on September 29. "Everyone will back the bandh. We shall stage a protest outside the Raj Bhavan. We will close down major highways and airports. "The bandh will be supported by buses, taxis, and autos," he stated. He reiterated that the bandh would be a'sampoorna Karnataka' bandh and that it would be implemented in all districts.

It's plausible to expect businesses, including shops, offices, transportation services, and educational institutions, to remain closed for the declared bandh days. This will inevitably disrupt normal routines, impact work schedules, and cause inconvenience to professionals, especially those commuting in and out of the region. Although essential services such as hospitals should remain functional.

Many Kannada organizations have called for the state-wide bandh on 29th September.
Major effects will be seen in Bangalore, Mysore, Mandya, Ballary, and a few other districts. Schools will be closed again on Friday if they don't withdraw their strike.
Schools will be forced to either close or take online classes.