Protest Watch – Cauvery Water Dispute and Bengaluru Bandh

This flaring issue has a long history of protests and agitations. The major protests in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu include:

• The Rapid Action Force (RAF) had to be deployed to maintain law and order in the 2012
  demonstrations in Mandya to contain the situation and avoid escalation.
• The 2016 protests in Bengaluru resulted in two deaths and 300 arrests.
• 2018 witnessed the biggest protest rallies in Trichy, Tamil Nadu and Bengaluru. Over 5,000 people joined the protest march in Trichy, and around 4,000 protesters were arrested in Bengaluru. Chennai witnessed the protests in 2018, which also disrupted the IPL match.
• In 2022, the ‘Mekedatu march’ was organized to support the implementation of the reservoir project near the Tamil Nadu border.

The coalition of farmers and pro-Kannada organizations under the aegis of Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti called upon the September 26th protests in Bengaluru against the Karnataka government’s decision to allocate Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu. The opposition parties, including BJP, JDS and AAP, will support the Bandh. The organizers planned a massive protest rally from Townhall to SBM Circle. The Bandh is expected to disrupt normal life in Bengaluru, impact businesses and transport, and likely bring the city to a halt. The President of the Sugarcane Growers’ Federation, Kurubur Shanthakumar, a frontline leader in the coalition, has appealed to businesses, IT companies, transport unions, schools and colleges to support the Bandh.

Impact on the General Public and Businesses

Transport Disruption:

• The bus services within the city and outbound to other parts of the state are likely to be
  impacted. The KSRTC staff and workers’ federation extended support to the Bandh. They
  urged the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) staff to support the Bandh and not to operate the bus service from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on September 26th.
• The Bandh is also supported by the Karnataka State Travel Operators Association (KSTOA), which will impact the likelihood of travel through hired transport to and from Bengaluru.
• The Ola, Uber Drivers and Owners’ Association in Bengaluru also appealed to the app-based cab operators to refrain from operating during the Bandh, limiting the travel options within the city.
• The Autorickshaw Drivers Union, however, is undecided on their support to the Bandh, but given the widespread support, the services are likely to be hampered.
• The Bengaluru metro services will be operating as usual.

Business Disruption and Shop Closures

• A significant impact is likely to be observed on the local businesses. Most shops, including malls and smaller establishments, will likely remain closed. The grocery and daily need stores are likely to be operating.
• The Bruhat Bangalore Hotels Association has also supported farmers and protesting organizations, which indicates the closures of restaurants and eating joints.
• The Kannada Film Industry has also extended its full support to the Bandh.
• The protesting organizations have appealed to Information Technology and Bio-Technology companies and other businesses to extend their support.

Schools and Educational Institutions

• Though the official communication on holiday is yet to come, the schools are highly likely to remain closed entirely or work through online mode.
• Associated Managements of Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) have extended moral support to the protest and appealed to the teachers and staff to join the demonstrations wearing black bands on their arms.

Emergency Services

• Hospitals and medical emergency services are likely to be operating.
• Police, Fire and ambulance services will continue to attend to the urgent situations.

Recommendations

• The Bengaluru police have stepped up security in the city with heightened security measures and increased patrolling. Security has also been beefed up in the Tamil populated areas to negate any possibilities of violence between the communities. The general public is advised to exercise caution while leaving their homes and refer to local sources for information.
• The Bandh is likely to be observed in totality; therefore, businesses can consider the work-from-home option for their employees and maintain business continuity.
• Business travellers are advised to review their travel plans as the airline service will operate, but the airport transfers at Kempegowda International Airport are likely to be impacted.