Bengaluru bandh on Tuesday: What's open and what's closed
Several pro-Kannada organizations and farmer associations have called for a Bengaluru bandh (shutdown) on Tuesday to protest the Karnataka government's decision to allocate Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, per Hindustan Times. This is expected to impact transportation services and schools, while essential services like hospitals, pharmacies, and government offices will remain open. The opposition parties have also supported the bandh call, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the government would not try to scuttle any protests.
Why does this story matter?
This comes days after the Supreme Court (SC) refused to intervene in the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) order regarding the Cauvery water release. This has been a long-standing problem between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Cauvery water is the main source of drinking water and irrigation for millions of people in the two states. The river was declared a national asset in 2018 by the SC, which also broadly upheld the water-sharing agreements by the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal (CWDT).
First, know what sparked demonstrations
The decision by the CWMA to instruct Karnataka to continue releasing 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for an additional 15 days triggered protests across Karnataka. The move followed the recommendations of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC). The protests were held in Mandya, Udupi, Bengaluru, Chamarajanagar, Ramanagara, Mysuru, Chitradurga, Ballari, Davanagere, Koppal, and Vijayapura. Meanwhile, the Karnataka cabinet is set to make a decision regarding water sharing on Tuesday during the next meeting of the CWRC.
Transportion disruption likely, schools might shut too
The Bengaluru bandh is expected to disrupt transportation services, including taxi services, as the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) extended their support for the strike. The Kannada film industry has also expressed solidarity with the protest. Although a holiday is yet to be declared, schools, colleges, IT companies, and film theaters are also likely to be shut following an appeal for support by Karnataka Water Conservation Committee President Kurubur Shanthakumar.
Namma Metro, essential services to remain open
According to The Hindu, Namma Metro services by the Banglore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) will, however, continue to operate as usual. All emergency services-related vehicles like ambulances, pharma vehicles, and other important goods-carrying vehicles will remain functional. Hospitals and medical stores will also run as usual. Bruhath Bangalore Hotels Association's Vice President PC Rao said they have also extended moral support for the bandh. However, he added eateries are considered an important service, so they will work on Tuesday.
