Bengaluru, Aug 11 (IANS) Several Kannada organisations have extended support to the Karnataka bandh called on August 13 over Tamil Nadu’s opposition to the Mekedatu drinking water project, even as differences have emerged among Kannada groups over whether the shutdown is necessary amid good rainfall and rising water levels in the state’s reservoirs.
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike leader Praveen Kumar Shetty on Tuesday said the bandh may not be necessary given the recent rainfall and improving water situation. He said his organisation would discuss the matter with its office-bearers before taking a final decision.
“When the bandh was called, there were no rains. After the bandh call was given, rains started. The KRS reservoir is filling up and the Kabini dam is also full. More than the prescribed 3,000 cusecs of water is being released to Tamil Nadu,” Shetty said.
He said the impact of a statewide shutdown on daily wage workers, hotel operators, small shop owners and others who depend on daily earnings should also be considered.
“Every day, labourers, hotel workers and those running small shops depend on their daily income. We cannot simply say that the bandh is not required if people feel it is necessary. We will discuss it with our office-bearers and try to convince Vatal Nagaraj,” Shetty said.
Shetty also said Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had indicated that he would speak to Kannada organisations on the issue and that they were waiting for the meeting.
“We will meet Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj and discuss the matter. The Chief Minister has also said that he will speak to us, and we are waiting for that,” he said.
Meanwhile, several Kannada organisations have backed the August 13 bandh, which has been called to protest Tamil Nadu’s opposition to the Mekedatu project.
Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj had appealed to people across Bengaluru and Karnataka to actively participate in the bandh and take to the streets in support of the proposed project.
Nagaraj said the protest was necessary as Tamil Nadu had opposed the Mekedatu project without, according to him, giving convincing reasons for its objections.
“We are launching a protest for the Mekedatu project. Tamil Nadu has protested against the project, but it has not explained what problems it would face because of it,” Nagaraj said.
He warned that Bengaluru could face a serious drinking water crisis if the Mekedatu project is not implemented.
“If the Mekedatu project is not implemented, there will be no water for Bengaluru. Where will you go then? We are protesting for the people of Bengaluru,” he said.
Nagaraj also appealed to people from all communities and linguistic backgrounds living in Bengaluru to support the bandh, arguing that access to drinking water concerns everyone.
However, there is no unanimity among Kannada organisations over the proposed shutdown.
Mandya-based Kannada organisations have announced their support for the bandh. The Kannada Sene in Mandya has said the bandh will be observed, while the Cauvery Hitarakshana Vedike is expected to hold a meeting before announcing its decision.
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike president T.R. Narayana Gowda has said his organisation will instead stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Kannada activist Sa. Ra. Govindu has also said he will not support the bandh.
The Ola and Uber Cab Aggregators Owners and Drivers Association has also indicated that it is not keen on supporting the shutdown.
The proposed bandh comes amid a renewed debate over the Mekedatu project, with Karnataka maintaining that the reservoir is crucial for meeting Bengaluru’s drinking water requirements. Tamil Nadu has opposed the project, citing concerns over the Cauvery river and downstream water availability.
With Karnataka receiving good rainfall and reservoirs such as KRS and Kabini witnessing improved inflows, some Kannada organisations have questioned the need for a bandh at this juncture. However, supporters of the shutdown maintain that the protest is necessary to put pressure on Tamil Nadu and the Centre over the Mekedatu project.
The extent of participation in the August 13 bandh is likely to become clearer after the various Kannada organisations conclude their consultations and announce their final decisions.
–IANS
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