Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Karnataka Bandh August 13: Schools, Banks Open, Transport Hit
The people of a part of India called Karnataka are planning a big protest called a bandh, a day when many things stop to show people are upset.
This bandh is happening on Thursday, August 13, from 6 in the morning until 6 in the evening.
The protest is about water.
Karnataka and its neighbour Tamil Nadu both want water from a big river called the Cauvery.
A special water authority told Karnataka to send some water to Tamil Nadu for 15 more days.
Some people in Karnataka are not happy about that, so they want to protest.
The leader of the protest is a man named Vatal Nagaraj, who says more than 2,000 groups support him.
The leader of Karnataka, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, asked him to stop the protest, but he said no.
Even during the bandh, schools, banks, hospitals, and shops are allowed to stay open, but buses and cars may have trouble getting around.
A 12-hour Karnataka bandh on Thursday, August 13, from 6 am to 6 pm, has been called by pro-Kannada groups led by activist Vatal Nagaraj.
The protest opposes the Cauvery Water Management Authority's direction to release about 12,000 cusecs of water for another 15 days to Tamil Nadu.
Pro-Kannada organisations are also demanding progress on the Mekedatu, Mahadayi, and Kalasa-Banduri projects.
Schools, offices, banks, hospitals, and pharmacies are expected to remain open, while buses, cabs, taxis, and border routes like Attibele face the most disruption.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar appealed to Nagaraj to withdraw the bandh, but Nagaraj rejected the appeal and is proceeding with the protest.
Nagaraj claims more than 2,000 pro-Kannada organisations have backed the bandh.
- Who
- Pro-Kannada groups led by Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj, opposed by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
- What
- A 12-hour statewide 'Karnataka bandh' (shutdown) from 6 am to 6 pm on Thursday, August 13.
- When
- Thursday, August 13, from 6 am to 6 pm.
- Where
- Across Karnataka, with significant impact expected on routes connecting Karnataka with Tamil Nadu and at the Attibele border.
- Why
- To protest the Cauvery Water Management Authority's direction to release around 12,000 cusecs of water for another 15 days to Tamil Nadu, and to demand progress on the Mekedatu, Mahadayi, and Kalasa-Banduri projects.
Pro-Kannada groups and bandh supporters
Karnataka government and CM
Holding the bandh
Pro-Kannada groups and bandh supporters
Pro-Kannada groups led by Vatal Nagaraj say the bandh is necessary to press their demands over the Cauvery water dispute and the stalled water projects.
Karnataka government and CM
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar appealed to Nagaraj to withdraw the bandh call, but Nagaraj rejected the appeal and is proceeding with the protest.
Cauvery water release
Pro-Kannada groups and bandh supporters
Pro-Kannada organisations oppose the Cauvery Water Management Authority's direction to release around 12,000 cusecs of water for another 15 days to Tamil Nadu.
Karnataka government and CM
The Cauvery Water Management Authority's direction obliges Karnataka to release the water to Tamil Nadu over the next 15 days.
Shutdown of daily life
Pro-Kannada groups and bandh supporters
Bandh organisers want widespread closure, with Vatal Nagaraj specifically appealing to hotel owners in Bengaluru and Mysuru to keep their establishments closed.
Karnataka government and CM
No statewide directive has been issued for schools, offices, or commercial establishments to close, and most are expected to function normally.
- Date
- Thursday, August 13
- Timing
- 6 AM to 6 PM (12 hours)
- Organiser
- Pro-Kannada groups led by Vatal Nagaraj
- Trigger
- CWMA direction to release ~12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water for 15 more days to Tamil Nadu
- Key demands
- Progress on Mekedatu, Mahadayi, and Kalasa-Banduri projects
- Claimed support
- Over 2,000 pro-Kannada organisations
- Schools and banks
- Expected to remain open
- Essential services
- Hospitals, pharmacies, and emergency services expected to function
