Bengaluru, July 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Kannada organisations and farmers’ groups on Friday stepped up their protest against the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s (CWRC) direction on releasing water to Tamil Nadu, warning of a statewide bandh if Karnataka proceeds with the release amid concerns over drinking water availability.
A meeting of pro-Kannada organisations, farmers’ groups, Dalit, labour and progressive organisations has been convened in Bengaluru under the leadership of Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj to decide the next course of action.
Addressing reporters, Vatal Nagaraj asserted that “not a single drop” of Cauvery water should be released to Tamil Nadu and urged the Karnataka government to safeguard the state’s interests.
“The government must make it clear that it will not release a drop of water to Tamil Nadu. Karnataka’s interests must be protected at any cost. We are prepared for any protest and are even ready to send thousands of activists to jail,” he said.
According to organisers, efforts will be made to ensure that any proposed bandh receives statewide support.
Kannada organisations have been holding demonstrations for the past three days against the CWRC’s directive on water release, arguing that Karnataka is facing a potential drinking water shortage.
Adding a political dimension to the agitation, Kannada activist Praveen Kumar Shetty demanded a ban on Jana Nayagan, a film featuring Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay.
He said the Karnataka government should prohibit the film’s release and warned that Kannada organisations would announce a bandh if no action was taken following the all-party meeting scheduled for August 2.
Meanwhile, police detained several protesters during demonstrations at the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) reservoir in Mandya district and at other locations across southern Karnataka.
Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy urged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar not to agree to any release of Cauvery water, claiming that the state does not have adequate reserves even to meet drinking water needs.
Responding to the protests, Congress MLA Ganiga Ravi accused the BJP of politicising the issue and appealed to all political parties to participate in the all-party meeting convened by the state government.
He also urged farmers and activists to maintain peace and avoid road blockades, stating that the government had already indicated its position on the issue and that the matter would ultimately be decided in accordance with legal and constitutional processes.
FOLLOW NOW
