Regular life is unlikely to be affected on Thursday (August 13) regardless of the bandh name given by Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj towards the directive to launch Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, as most organisations have prolonged solely ethical help to the decision.
Karnataka bandh: What will remain open? Which services will be affected?
The bandh, scheduled from 6 a.m. to six p.m., is unlikely to have an effect on public or non-public transport, outlets and industrial institutions, lodges or eateries. Colleges and workplaces are additionally anticipated to perform as traditional. Important providers corresponding to healthcare, grocery shops, pharmacies and banks are anticipated to stay practical. Transport providers are additionally more likely to function usually, as autorickshaw and cab unions have prolonged solely ethical help to the bandh.
On Wednesday, Mr. Nagaraj mentioned that the Kannada Okkoota had determined to go forward with the bandh and that he wouldn’t name it off. He additionally mentioned they might perform a rally from City Corridor to Freedom Park at 11 a.m.
“From 6 a.m. to six p.m., the bandh can be efficient. Mandya can be totally shut down, and full help can be obtained in Hubballi, Dharwad, Raichur and Ballari,” he mentioned.
Whereas Mr. Nagaraj had initially mentioned that the bandh within the State was in protest towards the Cauvery Water Administration Authority’s (CWMA) directive to launch water to Tamil Nadu, he clarified on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) that the bandh was additionally supposed to focus on all main irrigation and improvement points, together with the Kalasa-Banduri and Mekedatu initiatives.
As a precursor to the occasion, Mr. Nagaraj’s group held an indication with “brooms” at Majestic Bus Stand on August 12 earlier than being escorted away by the police.
Cauvery: Karnataka will approach Supreme Court, says Cheluvarayaswamy
In the meantime, Kannada outfit Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), which has been on the forefront of a number of protests within the state, has mentioned that it’s not extending help to the bandh. Dinesh Kumar, organising secretary of KRV, mentioned the bandh wouldn’t remedy the difficulty, however a authorized battle would, which the federal government was pursuing.
Rudramurthy of the Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Union and Tanveer Pasha of OTU each instructed The Hindu mentioned they had been solely extending ethical help to the bandh, as stopping operations would disrupt the lives of lakhs of individuals.
Emphasising that they help the State’s lawful efforts to safe Karnataka’s rightful share of water for consuming and irrigation functions, Okay. Radhakrishna Holla, president of the Karnataka State Journey Operators Affiliation, mentioned they weren’t extending help to the bandh, however solely ethical help to the trigger.
“Our transport, tourism and repair sectors are immediately linked with the every day wants of the general public. In an internationally recognised metropolis like Bengaluru, continuity of transport, tourism, hospitality, enterprise and different important providers is extraordinarily essential,” he mentioned.
Academic establishments to stay open
In the meantime, non-public colleges, together with these affiliated with the Karnataka Related Administration of Colleges (KAMS), have withdrawn their earlier advisory relating to the closure of faculties in reference to the ‘Cauvery Bandh’, citing the lack of tutorial days.
“As a symbolic gesture of solidarity, college administration representatives, instructing employees and non-teaching employees might put on a black ribbon or black strip on the day of the bandh with out disrupting tutorial actions,” mentioned D. Shashikumar, normal secretary, KAMS.
P.C. Rao of the Bruhat Bengaluru Motels Affiliation additionally mentioned that the affiliation was extending solely ethical help, citing meals as an important service.
Police warn towards bandh
Bengaluru police have warned towards compelled shutdowns and highway blockades. In an announcement, the police mentioned a number of organisations had known as for the bandh, whereas others had knowledgeable the Bengaluru Metropolis Police that they weren’t supporting it. The police mentioned residents have the democratic and elementary proper to specific their views and maintain peaceable protests inside the framework of the legislation. Nonetheless, they pressured that the rights of those that don’t want to take part should even be revered.
“No particular person or organisation ought to power, threaten or compel anybody to take part within the bandh,” the police mentioned, warning towards the compelled closure of retailers, institutions and establishments, obstruction of site visitors, and compelling folks to take part in protests towards their will.
Precautionary safety preparations have been made throughout Bengaluru, with satisfactory police deployment, patrolling and safety measures at essential and delicate places.
Printed – August 12, 2026 11:11 pm IST
