Karnataka Bandh Highlights: Kannada activists call off bandh after meeting CM Shivakumar

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said Kannada activists had withdrawn their bandh call after meeting him, as the state Assembly commenced its proceedings.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said representatives of Kannada organisations had met him and subsequently decided to withdraw the bandh call.

"All the Kannada activists met me. They have withdrawn their bandh call," Shivakumar said.

(ANI)

Karnataka Bangalore Bandh LIVE Updates: The Karnataka bandh will end at 6 pm.

Pro-Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj on Thursday refused to leave house and speak to police as a mark of silent protest, upon failure to participate in the rally, PTI reported. Vatal Nagaraj had reportedly planned a rally from the BMTC-KSRTC bus stand to Town Hall and then to Freedom Park.

Amid ongoing Karnataka Bandh statewide protest, farmers and pro-Kannada organisations staged demonstrations at Sanjay Circle and other locations. Agitators chanted “our water, our right” as they carried empty pots and horse gram as a symbol of the alternative crop farmers may be forced to grow instead of paddy, PTI reported.

Karnataka Bandh statewide shutdown seems to have lost steam after several Kannada organisations withdrew their support. According to Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, some activists, including Praveen Shetty and Sa Ra Govindu, met him and informed him that they were withdrawing the bandh call, PTI reported.

Pro-Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj was taken into preventive custody from his residence in Bengaluru's Dollars Colony, PTI reported, He was detained before he could join the planned protests.

Karnataka police sounded a high alert for Mandya city and tightened security particularly around Sanjay Circle, where a major protest is expected to take place during the bandh.

Besides deployment of local police personnel, additional forces have been deployed at the protest-sensitive location along with personnel from the District Armed Reserve (DAR) and Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), ANI reported.

Mandya district administration imposed a ban on liquor sales across the district amid Karnataka bandh. All types of liquor shops, bars, and restaurants serving liquor have been directed to remain closed for the day in KR Pet, Srirangapatna, Maddur, and Mandya taluks. The sale, transportation, and storage of liquor in the district during the period of the restriction has been prohibited, ANI reported.

As per ANI report, Tamil Nadu government buses continue to operate to Karnataka via Hosur. Karnataka State Transport Corporation buses are also operating as usual.

Yuva Prati Vedike State President R V Koppal said, "We have blocked the National Highway here (Koppal district) and stopped a Tamil Nadu vehicle. By giving them a flower, we are telling them: 'We don't even have drinking water for ourselves, but you are asking for water. We are giving you extra water, but we ourselves don't have water,'" ANI reported.

Security has been increased at Bengaluru airport as a precautionary measure and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and state police personnels have been roped in to maintain surveillance, ANI reported.

At Kempegowda International Airport, normal operations continued with no disruption reported in passenger movement or transport services, ANI reported. At the same time, Ola, Uber, airport taxis and Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) taxis are operating as usual at the airport.

Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport in a post on X stated, “Passengers travelling to and from BLR Airport are advised that taxi and bus services may be impacted due to anticipated disruptions to transport services across parts of Bengaluru.”

Kanada leader Lokesh Gowda spoke against release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, “Under no circumstances should Cauvery water be released to Tamil Nadu as we ourselves do not have enough water,” ANI reported.

Police detained pro-Kannada protestors who attempted to block buses near the suburban bus stand in Mysuru, HT report said. Meanwhile, commercial establishments, including shops and hotels opened as usual, while autos and taxis also operated without disruption despite statewide bandh.

The Bengaluru-Mysuru old highway was blocked by protestors as they chanted “Our water, our right” slogans on Thursday, according to PTI report.

Vatal Nagaraj and organisations backing him are opposing the CWMA's order and supporting Bandh call. Raitha Hitarakshana Samithi and a few other farmers' associations extended their support. Karnataka Rakshana Vedike's Praveen Shetty said, “We support Vatal Nagaraj's struggle, but under tomorrow's circumstances, we are not in a position to support the bandh," PTI reported.

Even though many organisations associated with Vatal Nagaraj's Federation of Kannada withdrew their support to bandh call but assured "moral support to Nagaraj's fight".

Bengaluru police warned against spread of “old videos, photos, and unverified information related to past incidents” on social media. Suggesting that this may create confusion or panic among the public, it said, “We appeal to verify the authenticity of any information before sharing it.”

Bengaluru City Police order dated 12 August states, “Schools and colleges, offices, shops and commercial establishments, public transport and other normal activities are expected to function as usual. Members of the public are requested to continue their daily activities as usual without fear or apprehension.”