Kannada Organizations Call Statewide Bandh Over Cauvery Water

Vatal Nagaraj and other Kannada organizations called for a statewide bandh in Karnataka on August 13, 2026, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The protest targets the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu and demands the implementation of the Mekedatu, Mahadayi, and Kalasa-Banduri projects.

While Nagaraj urged hotel owners and commercial sectors to shut down, support for the bandh is fragmented. The Karnataka Associated Managements of Schools withdrew its support for school closures to prevent academic disruption, though the group offered moral support and suggested staff wear black ribbons. Other groups, including the Karnataka Kavalu Pade, opted for symbolic protests rather than a full shutdown, citing the Government of Karnataka's promises to protect state water interests.

Planned activities include a symbolic demonstration where members of the Karnataka Kavalu Pade will lie down for one hour at Harding Circle in Mysuru. The bandh is expected to disrupt public transport and commercial businesses, though essential services such as banks, pharmacies, and healthcare are unlikely to be affected. The call for action follows previous tensions, including an August 11 traffic blockade at the Attibele inter-state border.