What is the significance of Bengaluru bandh today? Explained
A statewide bandh has also been declared for Friday.
Today, Bengaluru is completely shut down as farmer bodies, Kannada organizations, and opposition parties call for a ‘bandh’ in the city to protest the release of Cauvery water to neighboring state Tamil Nadu. The ‘Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti’, an umbrella organization of farmer associations led by farmer leader Kuruburu Shanthakumar, declared the shutdown from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, a state-wide bandh has been declared on Friday.
What exactly is the Cauvery problem?
The Cauvery river water conflict has raged for decades between the two southern states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The dispute recently erupted following a request from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) for Karnataka to release 5000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days. According to the Karnataka government, the reduced rainfall in the Cauvery catchment area, which includes parts of Kerala, has resulted in insufficient inflow into the state’s reservoirs, and hence they are unable to release the water.
Karnataka deputy chief minister Shivakumar, who is in charge of water resources, stated that the state only has one-third of the required water.
The controversy erupted last week when the Supreme Court refused to intervene in the CWMA’s order, stating that it is “not inclined to entertain” Tamil Nadu’s petition.
What stores are closed today?
Today is a holiday, so all stores, street sellers, business establishments, and theaters will be closed. Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), and private cabs such as Ola and Uber are likely to be affected.
In addition, all educational institutions will be closed today.
What services will be available?
All emergency vehicles, including ambulances, pharma vans, and other critical goods-carrying trucks, will be operational. Hospitals, medical stores, and restaurants will continue to operate normally. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) will continue to operate metro services throughout the city as usual.
