Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Karnataka Bandh Over Cauvery Water Dispute: Security Tightened in Bengaluru
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are two neighbouring states in India that share a river called the Cauvery.
They sometimes disagree about how much water from that river each state should get.
A special group called the Cauvery Water Management Authority told Karnataka to send a large amount of water, 12,000 cusecs every day for 15 days, to Tamil Nadu.
Many people in Karnataka were not happy about that decision.
So Kannada organisations and farmer groups called for a bandh, which is like a day-long protest where many places shut down.
Police in Bengaluru put extra security at important spots and said any violence, threats, or damage to property would be dealt with firmly.
Even during the bandh, schools, banks, hospitals, pharmacies and public transport stayed open and worked normally.
Some organisations supported the bandh, while others said they did not.
A Karnataka bandh is underway on Thursday with heightened security and sporadic protests over the Cauvery water-sharing dispute with Tamil Nadu.
The Cauvery Water Management Authority has directed Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days, with the water released at Biligundlu.
Several Kannada organisations and farmer groups called the shutdown to protest the CWMA order, with demonstrations reported in Mandya and other parts of the state.
Bengaluru Police tightened security at sensitive locations and warned that violence, threats, property damage, obstruction of traffic or disruption of essential services will invite strict action.
Schools, banks, hospitals, pharmacies and public transport are operating normally, and some organisations have told police they do not support the bandh call.
- Who
- Kannada organisations, farmer groups and the Bengaluru Police, alongside the Cauvery Water Management Authority.
- What
- A statewide bandh (shutdown) protesting the CWMA order directing Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.
- When
- Thursday, August 13.
- Where
- Karnataka, especially Bengaluru and Mandya; water would be released at Biligundlu.
- Why
- To oppose the Cauvery water-sharing order, which has intensified politically charged tensions between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Bandh supporters (Kannada groups and farmers)
CWMA and organisations not backing the bandh
Cauvery water release order
Bandh supporters (Kannada groups and farmers)
Karnataka should not be forced to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu; farmer groups and political leaders sharply oppose the additional release.
CWMA and organisations not backing the bandh
Karnataka must comply with the CWMA direction, which follows the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's decision to release 12,000 cusecs daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.
Support for the Karnataka bandh
Bandh supporters (Kannada groups and farmers)
Several Kannada organisations back the shutdown as a way to protest the water release order.
CWMA and organisations not backing the bandh
Some organisations have informed police that they do not support the bandh call.
- Event
- Karnataka bandh over the Cauvery water dispute
- Date
- Thursday, August 13
- Main location
- Karnataka (Bengaluru, Mandya)
- Dispute
- Cauvery water sharing between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
- Authority order
- Release 12,000 cusecs of water daily for 15 days
- Release point
- Biligundlu
- Services running normally
- Schools, banks, hospitals, pharmacies, public transport