The BJP and other opposition parties, including the JD(S), have offered their support for the Bengaluru Bandh called by several pro-Kannada outfits in the state capital on Tuesday. The bandh call was made by Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samithi, an umbrella outfit of farmers and other organisations, against the release of water from river Cauvery to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
The city wore a deserted look on Tuesday morning despite the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) announcing that all services will operate as usual. "As bandh has been called, no commuters are seen in Kempegowda bus stop which is usually one of the busiest bus stops in the state," a BMTC employee told ANI.
The Ola-Uber Drivers' Association had informed that they will not support Tuesday's bandh, given another bandh being called for Friday across Kannada. "Tomorrow our services will be normal. This decision was taken in a meeting held today in the presence of pro-Kannada and various organisations," the association in a statement said.
However, associations and unions operating autos and taxis have extended their complete support for Tuesday's bandh. "We support the bandh called by various organisations. When the Cauvery water issue comes, we have a very clear stand that Karnataka will not provide water to anyone. Only night drivers are here, autos will not run today, an auto driver at Majestic BMTC Bus stop told ANI.
Meanwhile, the state BJP unit has offered to support the Bengaluru Bandh. BJP leader C T Ravi said, "Today our State party chief and BS Yediyurappa declared support. We will support it and with it, we will also protest in front of the Gandhi statue."
BJP leader B S Yediyurappa on Monday said his party would extend cooperation in ensuring that the Bengaluru bandh. He accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar of behaving like agents of Tamil Nadu for complying with orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority and the Cauvery Water Water Regulation Committee, which the Supreme Court refused to interfere with.
JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy separately said his party too would be supporting tomorrow's bandh. "I have asked my party workers to support the bandh. Our workers will support it. There should be no chance for any untoward incident," he said.
Tight security
The Bengaluru Police has beefed up security in the city with personnel deployed at Whitefield. A protest rally is being planned by the farmers' outfits from Town Hall to Freedom Park.
However, Shanthakumar and other leaders of the 'Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti were detained by the police at the Mysuru Bank circle, as they were trying to hold a protest march. Several activists of Kannada organisations were also whisked away by the police at Town Hall, as they gathered there to stage a protest. Farmers' leaders and Kannada activists hit out at the government for allegedly using police force to curtail the protests and bandh.
Police Commissioner B Dayananda said that Section 144 will be imposed in the city under which gatherings of more than five people will not be permitted. Protests will only be allowed at Freedom Park, police said.
Bengaluru Urban District Collector KA Dayanand has announced a public holiday for all schools and colleges in the city given the Bandh. Most private companies and firms, including those in the IT sector, asked their employees to work from home.
Some malls in the city have decided to remain shut. Many shops and establishments were also seen not functioning as usual in the morning hours.
Meanwhile, a Karnataka bandh, a state-wide shutdown, has been called, on September 29 by 'Kannada Okkuta', an umbrella organisation for Kannada organisations, led by Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj. They are not supporting today's bandh.