Karnataka Bandh: Hundreds detained, dozens of flights cancelled amid state-wide protest over Cauvery water sharing row

More than 200 detained

The Bengaluru police detained over 200 protestors from various pro-Kannada organisations across the state during the initial hours of the bandh, which was called by the ‘Kannada Okkoota’, an umbrella organisation of Kannada and farmers’ outfits.

#KarnatakaBandh | Normal life came to a standstill in cities and towns across the state as thousands gathered on the streets to protest against the Karnataka government’s decision to release water from the Cauvery River to Tamil Nadu.

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— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) September 29, 2023

This comes just a few days after a bandh in Bengaluru on Tuesday, which received mixed response. Ahead of Friday’s Karnataka Bandh, Section 144 CrPC was imposed by the Bengaluru police, prohibiting the assembly of four or more people in the city.

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Among those detained on Friday was 87-year-old Jain association leader Madan Lal Jain. He was detained by Bengaluru police and consequently let off during a massive gathering of pro-Kannada outfits at the city’s prominent Townhall.

#KarnatakaBandh | The Bengaluru police detained over 200 protestors from various pro-Kannada organisations across the state

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— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) September 29, 2023

At Townhall alone, a total of100 platoons of security personnel were deployed for bandobast.

44 flights cancelled, public transport unaffected

The flight schedule at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport took a hit on Friday, with 22 incoming and 22 outbound flights being cancelled on account of the bandh. According to Airport authorities, the 44 flights are cancelled due to operational issues and the same was notified to passengers in advance.

According to news agency PTI, a group of protestors gathered at the arrival gate of Kempegowda International Airport to register their protest over the Cauvery water dispute.

#KarnatakaBandh | Roads across the city saw minimal vehicular movement during the first half of Friday.

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— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) September 29, 2023

Meanwhile, apart from public transport, which remained largely unaffected, roads across the city saw minimal vehicular movement during the first half of Friday.

Former CM HD Kumaraswamy demands release of activists

After several hundred protestors were detained, former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy called for their immediate release. “Entire Karnataka is throbbing for the Cauvery struggle. Today’s bandh has evoked good response from all quarters,” he wrote on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).

Street vendors play cricket at Chikkpet’s KR Market during Karnataka Bandh. (Express Photo by Jithendra M)

When it comes to the question of land, language and water, everyone should be united, the former CM said, adding this harmony and unity in the Kannada family should be a wake-up call to the neighbouring states.

#KarnatakaBandh | Hundreds of pro-Kannada protesters were detained and more than 40 flights cancelled on Friday amid a statewide bandh over the Cauvery water sharing dispute.

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— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) September 29, 2023

“The government should not suppress Kannada sentiments. The activists who have already been detained should be released,” he said.

Across Karnataka, protests evoke mixed response

Apart from Bengaluru, several other southern parts of the state saw widespread protests. Shops, business establishments and restaurants were largely shut in cities and towns across south Karnataka.

The state-owned transport corporations operated very few buses in the southern districts fearing a backlash, news agency PTI reported. According to the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), there were only 59.88 per cent bus operations in southern parts of Karnataka.

#KarnatakaBandh | Ahead of Friday’s Karnataka Bandh, Section 144 CrPC was imposed by the Bengaluru police, prohibiting the assembly of four or more people in the city.

Follow our live blog: https://t.co/77eBcCqFfQ

📷 Jithendra M pic.twitter.com/LjUozDqOyC

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) September 29, 2023

The worst-hit KSRTC divisions in terms of operations were Mysuru and Chamarajanagar.

#KarnatakaBandh | Roads across the city saw minimal vehicular movement during the first half of Friday.

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📷 Jithendra M pic.twitter.com/LjkPxJSwFF

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) September 29, 2023

The Auto Rickshaw Drivers Union and Ola Uber Drivers and Owners Associations too have extended their support to the bandh.

In Chitradurga, a group of protestors set fire to a portrait of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin.

What’s behind the ongoing protests?

The ongoing protests in the state have been triggered by the Supreme Court’s refusal on September 21 to interfere with the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s (CWMA) direction to the state to release 5,000 cusecs of water per day for 15 days to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.