Karnataka Bandh : Kaveri River Protest Section 144 to be imposed; schools, colleges shut

In the backdrop of a simmering Cauvery standoff between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Pro-Kannada organizations have called for a statewide shutdown on September 29, 2023, escalating tensions further. The reason behind this protest is the Karnataka government’s decision to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

The Kannada Chaluvali group, spearheading the protest, has been opposing the Cauvery water transfer, and they find widespread support among various segments of society.

The implications of the bandh extend to transportation as well. On September 29, 2023, popular cab services like Ola and Uber will remain suspended. This move is likely to pose significant challenges for commuters across the city.

Closure of schools and universities, though, will depend on official announcements. Some private institutions have chosen to provide online classes during this period to mitigate the disruption. However, it’s worth noting that the general secretary of KAMS expressed reservations about this decision, suggesting that full-day classes on the subsequent Saturday and Sunday could be a more viable alternative.

The bandh is impacting various facets of daily life. For instance, Bangalore University has postponed its 58th annual convocation, originally scheduled for September 29, due to the Cauvery water dispute. Malls, theaters, restaurants, and hotels have all made the decision to support the protest.

The bandh also extends its reach to the highways, with many National Highways blocked for the second ‘Karnataka Bandh.’ The decision to hold another bandh comes on the heels of a successful protest on September 26 when the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) authorized the release of 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days, sparking outrage among the people of Karnataka.