Bengaluru bandh today, schools shut, airlines issue advisories

mangaloretoday.com

Bengaluru, Sep 26, 2023: A bandh has been announced in Bengaluru on Tuesday to protest against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu by Karnataka.

 

The bandh has been called by the ’Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti’, an umbrella outfit of farmers’ associations and other organisations led by farmer leader Kuruburu Shanthakumar.

WHAT IS THE CAUVERY ISSUE?

Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have been locked over the issue of sharing the water of the Cauvery river for decades.

The recent flare-up has been the rejection of the Karnataka government’s petition by the Supreme Court against an order of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) asking Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from September 13.

The Karnataka government has maintained that it is not in a position to release the water as there are its own needs for drinking water and irrigation.

Here is a 10-point detail about today’s Karnataka bandh:

1. Bengaluru Police imposed Section 144 of the CrPC from midnight of Monday to midnight of Tuesday in the wake of the bandh. Also, the police have not provided any permission for processions in the city today.

According to the Bengaluru Police Commissioner, "No one can forcefully implement the bandh by using force, other than in case where someone wants to observe it voluntarily." In addition, about 100 platoons will be deployed to guard the city.

2. Bengaluru Urban District Deputy Commissioner, Dayananda K A, declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in the city on Tuesday, in the wake of the bandh. Most private schools and colleges across the city had already declared a holiday for students on Monday.

3. Metro services in Bengaluru are likely to be unaffected by the bandh call and will continue to function as usual.

4. According to the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) officials, city bus services will not be affected fully by the bandh. In addition, entry to Tamil Nadu buses are stopped at the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border.

5. Ola-Uber services will continue to function normally on Tuesday. According to their association, they are not supporting Tuesday’s bandh. However, auto and taxi associations and unions have extended support to Tuesday’s bandh.

The Hotel Owners’ Association has also decided to withdraw support for the bandh tomorrow, citing confusion, and said all hotels and restaurants will be open.

6. Bengaluru airport has released an advisory requesting flyers to “plan their journeys accordingly” in view of the Bengaluru bandh. In addition, Indigo airlines have also requested passengers to take sufficient time while travelling to the airport.

"Travel time to Bengaluru airport may take longer than normal due to Bandh declared in Bengaluru. We recommend arriving at least 2.5 hrs before domestic and 3.5 hrs before international departures," Indigo said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

7. The BJP, the principal opposition party in Karnataka, has extended support to Tuesday’s bandh. On Monday, senior leader BS Yediyurappa said, “On the Cauvery water dispute, we have had detailed discussions and come to a certain decision. The Bengaluru bandh should be successful without any confusion tomorrow."

 "I appeal to hotel and shop owners and organisations to shut their establishments tomorrow, without giving any different statements -- for the sake of maintaining peace and order and in support of Bengaluru’s cause," he added.

8. The JD(S) has also extended support to the Bengaluru bandh. Party leader HD Kumaraswamy said his party will support the bandh call.

9. Meanwhile, in Chennai, the Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers’ Association urged the state government to take appropriate measures through the Centre to ban Tuesday’s protests in Karnataka against the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

10. The Congress government in Karnataka has decided not to curtail the protests. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said his government will not curtail the protests and stressed the importance of maintaining peace during the bandh.

Courtesy: India Today