Karnataka bandh updates: Vatal Nagaraj arrested; lukewarm response in major cities
The Karnataka bandh called by activist Vatal Nagaraj over the Kaveri water issue saw a minimal response, with normal life largely unaffected in Bengaluru and across the state
A statewide bandh called by Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj in Karnataka on Thursday experienced a largely subdued turnout, with most of the state's normal life remaining unaffected. Vatal Nagaraj was taken into preventive custody in Bengaluru early in the morning to prevent him from leading protests against alleged neglect of Kannada interests. Despite the call for a shutdown, public transport and commercial activities in Bengaluru continued with shops and markets largely remaining open, although some private schools declared a holiday as a precautionary measure. Increased police deployment was observed around Vidhana Soudha as Karnataka's monsoon session was set to commence. The subdued response also pointed to a fragmentation among Kannada organizations intending to disrupt normal life. However, farmers in Mandya demonstrated unity by participating in protests on the roads. The bandh's original objective was to protest the release of Kaveri water to Tamil Nadu, a situation that had been somewhat altered by recent heavy rains increasing water levels in reservoirs.
A statewide bandh called by Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj in Karnataka on Thursday experienced a largely subdued turnout, with most of the state's normal life remaining unaffected. Vatal Nagaraj was taken into preventive custody in Bengaluru early in the morning to prevent him from leading protests against alleged neglect of Kannada interests. Despite the call for a shutdown, public transport and commercial activities in Bengaluru continued with shops and markets largely remaining open, although some private schools declared a holiday as a precautionary measure. Increased police deployment was observed around Vidhana Soudha as Karnataka's monsoon session was set to commence. The subdued response also pointed to a fragmentation among Kannada organizations intending to disrupt normal life. However, farmers in Mandya demonstrated unity by participating in protests on the roads. The bandh's original objective was to protest the release of Kaveri water to Tamil Nadu, a situation that had been somewhat altered by recent heavy rains increasing water levels in reservoirs.
A statewide bandh called by Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj in Karnataka on Thursday experienced a largely subdued turnout, with most of the state's normal life remaining unaffected. Vatal Nagaraj was taken into preventive custody in Bengaluru early in the morning to prevent him from leading protests against alleged neglect of Kannada interests. Despite the call for a shutdown, public transport and commercial activities in Bengaluru continued with shops and markets largely remaining open, although some private schools declared a holiday as a precautionary measure. Increased police deployment was observed around Vidhana Soudha as Karnataka's monsoon session was set to commence. The subdued response also pointed to a fragmentation among Kannada organizations intending to disrupt normal life. However, farmers in Mandya demonstrated unity by participating in protests on the roads. The bandh's original objective was to protest the release of Kaveri water to Tamil Nadu, a situation that had been somewhat altered by recent heavy rains increasing water levels in reservoirs.
The Karnataka bandh called by Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj on Thursday failed to evoke a significant response across the state, with normal life largely unaffected even as police arrested Nagaraj at his residence in Bengaluru to prevent him from leading protests.
Nagaraj, who had called for the bandh opposing the alleged neglect of Kannada and Karnataka’s interests, was taken into preventive custody early in the morning. Police deployed personnel at several locations in Bengaluru and other parts of the state to prevent protesters from forcing shops, businesses and establishments to shut.
The bandh call had threatened to disrupt normal life in Bengaluru, but public transport and commercial activity largely continued. Shops, markets and establishments in most parts of the city remained open, while traffic moved normally in several areas. Some of the private schools declared a holiday as precautionary measures.
As Karnataka ‘s monsoon sessions are set to open today, there are additional police deployments around Vidhana Soudha and roads leading to it.
The bandh also highlighted the fragmentation among Kannada organisations to bring the state to a standstill through shutdown calls.
However, in Mandya, farmers showed unity by coming out on the road in good numbers. Police had warned that forcible closure of establishments and disruption of public movement would not be permitted. Security was stepped up at sensitive locations, including major transport hubs and commercial areas.
The bandh was called by Vatal Nagaraj’s Kannada Chaluvali Vedike to protect against the release of Kaveri water to Tamil Nadu. When he called for the Bandh a week ago, the state was grappling with drought, but now water inflow into reservoirs has increased due to heavy rains in the Kaveri valley and catchment areas.