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Karnataka Today newsletter: Bengaluru bandh elicits mixed response from city’s residents, and more

Bengaluru witnessed a mixed response to the bandh called by pro-Kannada organisations and farmers on September 26 over the Karnataka government releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu as per the directions of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). Shops in business areas of the city like Chickpete were closed and the streets wore a deserted look. However, hotels continued to run as usual.

Transportation services such as BMTC buses, Namma Metro, cab, and auto-rickshaws were also operational. The Kempegowda International Airport remained unaffected by the bandh as passengers continued to arrive despite the strike. However, traffic on city roads was notably lighter compared to typical days, as many IT companies implemented work-from-home policies.

Pro-Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj and his associates were detained at Raj Bhavan on September 26, 2023, when they went to stage a protest against the Karnataka government’s move to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Accusing the government of containing protests with the use of police might, Mr. Nagaraj said protestors would lay siege to the CM’s residence on September 27.

Earlier farmers’ leader Kuruburu Shanthkumar was detained at Mysore Bank Circle. Police also detained a group of 20 protestors who had gathered in front of Town Hall shouting slogans. They were bundled into a BMTC bus and escorted to CAR grounds.

A dead rat found in the food packets distributed to policemen on bandobast duty for the Bengaluru bandh, created panic among the personnel. This is the second instance where sub-standard food has been distributed to the police personnel on duty. A day before, on September 25, Vidyaranyapura Police even registered a FIR against a hotel for supplying food that had gone bad.

On Tuesday, a dead rat was found in the rice bath packet distributed to traffic police personnel in Yeshwanthpur. An inquiry has been initiated and necessary action will be taken, said M. N. Anucheth, Joint Commissioner (Traffic).

The revised sanctioned posts for teachers implemented to maintain pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools and high schools has increased the number of posts for teachers in Karnataka by 988.