Published Aug 12, 2026 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 12, 2026 | 8:00 AM
Cauvery River. (Creative Commons)
Synopsis: Karnataka’s August 13 bandh faces growing uncertainty as major Kannada organisations, including KRV, withdraw or limit their support, citing improved rainfall and reservoir inflows. While Vatal Nagaraj remains firm on the shutdown, support from hotels, schools and auto unions remains divided, raising questions over how widespread the bandh will be.
Karnataka’s pro-Kannada groups are divided over a statewide bandh called by veteran activist Vatal Nagaraj on August 13 over the Cauvery water sharing issue. While Nagaraj has insisted that the shutdown will happen as planned, several prominent organisations have decided to withdraw support, citing an improvement in the state’s water situation.
The 24-hour protest shutdown was called after the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) upheld a direction requiring Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu daily for 15 days, roughly 4 TMC in all.
Karnataka had opposed the release, citing deficient monsoon rainfall, low reservoir levels and the need to protect drinking-water requirements. Nagaraj subsequently announced the statewide bandh, initially centred on the Cauvery water-sharing issue.
However, he has since expanded the protest’s agenda to include Tamil Nadu’s opposition to the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, the Belagavi border dispute and the activities of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti, as well as youth unemployment and alleged regional neglect.
Also Read: Cauvery water sharing row: Karnataka directed to release 12,000 cusecs daily to Tamil Nadu
Nagaraj has maintained that the bandh will go ahead “come what may” and has claimed widespread support from Kannada organisations across the state. He has also said that students and several other groups have backed the shutdown.
Among those backing the call are Kannada Sene and several other Mandya-based Kannada organisations and the Kannada Kriya Samithi, which has held a demonstration in Mysuru. Nagaraj has also claimed support from sections of the Kannada film industry and several trade bodies, according to a PTI report.
Meanwhile, the bandh is facing growing resistance from organisations that have either withdrawn their support or opted for limited participation.
The T. A. Narayana Gowda-led Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) has withdrawn its support for the bandh, saying the circumstances have changed with improved rainfall and reservoir inflows.
“We do not want to disturb the general public,” Gowda told South First, questioning the need for a shutdown under the present circumstances. He said a bandh could hurt daily-wage workers, hotel employees and small traders who depend on their daily earnings.
The development is significant because KRV is one of the prominent organisations in Karnataka’s pro-Kannada movement.
The Cauvery Hitarakshana Vedike, meanwhile, had not taken a final decision and is expected to finalise its stance after an internal meeting.
The business community has also stopped short of committing to a shutdown.
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The Bangalore Hotels Association has offered “moral support” to the bandh but has said hotels will remain open. The association has urged Kannada organisations to reconsider the shutdown, citing the improved rainfall and water situation, an association member told South First.
The education sector has similarly backed away from a complete shutdown. The Karnataka Associated Managements of Schools (KAMS/CAMS) has withdrawn its earlier call for private schools to remain closed on August 13. Schools are instead expected to remain open, with the association asking them to extend moral support to the protest.
Auto unions are also divided. Some groups have opposed the bandh, while others have not yet taken a final decision.
The state has received substantial rainfall in recent weeks, improving inflows into key Cauvery reservoirs prompting organisations to question whether a statewide shutdown over an immediate water shortage is still justified.
The state government has urged Kannada organisations to reconsider the shutdown, with Chief Minister D K Shivakumar citing the improved water situation. Nagaraj, however, has refused to withdraw the bandh, despite appeals from the government and several organisations distancing themselves from it.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
