In the town of Ramanagara in Karnataka, fervent Pro-Kannada activists took to the streets on a Tuesday morning to stage a symbolic funeral procession, expressing their vehement discontent over the release of Cauvery water to the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu.
This protest marked an intensification of the ongoing agitation against the water-sharing issue. Moreover, the various organizations leading these protests have announced plans for a statewide bandh, scheduled to transpire on September 29, adding to the current state of turmoil. Notably, Bengaluru, the bustling capital of Karnataka, is already grappling with a strike on this particular day.
The Pro-Kannada activists, affiliated with Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, meticulously reenacted a funeral scenario, complete with a portrait of Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister, MK Stalin. They conducted rituals that typically accompany a person's passing, underscoring the gravity of their protest. A floral garland was respectfully placed on the image of Mr. Stalin, while a group of impassioned demonstrators vehemently chanted slogans against the leader of the DMK.
Additionally, a faction of Tamil Nadu's farming community raised their voices against Karnataka's stance on the Cauvery water issue, fervently demanding the release of water to their state. In an unconventional form of protest, some of these farmers resorted to holding deceased rats in their mouths as a symbolic gesture of their distress in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu.
The reverberations of this agitation extended to Bengaluru, where farmer groups mobilized a strike on the same day, prompting the declaration of a holiday for schools and colleges. Furthermore, select IT offices proactively announced a work-from-home arrangement for their employees, acknowledging the potential disruptions caused by the ongoing protests.
Meanwhile, the Pro-Kannada group known as "Kannada Chaluvali," led by Vatal Nagaraj, remained steadfast in their call for a statewide bandh scheduled for the upcoming Friday. Nagaraj asserted that widespread support would be garnered for this bandh, outlining their intentions to stage protests in front of the Raj Bhavan, block national highways, and disrupt airport operations. Additionally, various modes of transportation, including buses, taxis, and autos, were expected to endorse and actively participate in the bandh, according to Nagaraj's statements made during a press conference on the preceding Monday.
In contrast to the fervor of the protestors, the Bengaluru Police Commissioner, B Dayananda, issued a stern directive, explicitly stating that permission had not been granted for the Tuesday bandh. He categorically prohibited processions and rallies, and warned of stringent legal action against any individuals involved in any untoward incidents during the protest. Underlining this directive, prohibitory orders pursuant to CrPC Section 144 were set to be enforced from midnight on Monday until midnight on Tuesday, limiting public gatherings to no more than five people.
On the government's side, Karnataka's Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, affirmed that the protests would not be suppressed by the administration. However, he reiterated the paramount importance of maintaining law and order within the city while expressing his commitment to allowing peaceful demonstrations within the bounds of legal norms.
