Kannada activist and Kannada Okkoota president Vatal Nagaraj has called for an Akhanda Karnataka Bandh on Thursday and urged people across the state to join in the proposed shutdown to protect what he termed Karnataka's interests.
Nagaraj has said the bandh is to highlight several issues concerning Karnataka, including sharing of river water, protection of Kannada language and culture, farmers’ land, regional development and pending irrigation projects.
To get public support, Nagaraj will be travelling across Bengaluru in an open vehicle and is to urge residents to support the bandh. He will be visiting different areas and trying to get people involved in the protest.
Several organisations have already extended their support to the proposed bandh. Nagaraj has also appealed to Kannada-speaking communities and Kannada supporters to come together and make the shutdown successful.
Why has Vatal Nagaraj called for Karnataka Bandh?
The proposed bandh is based on a list of demands that Nagaraj and the other organisations say are crucial to Karnataka's interests.
One of the main demands is that Karnataka should not release water to Tamil Nadu. Nagaraj has maintained that the state's water resources must be protected and that Karnataka's interests should be given priority in decisions involving inter-state water sharing.
The water allocation issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu is politically sensitive, particularly in the Cauvery river.
Opposition To “Language Domination”
Another major demand is the use and promotion of Kannada in Karnataka.
Nagaraj has called for an end to what he says is the domination of other languages in the state. He has also raised objections to Hindi and demanded stronger protection for Kannada.
The demands include a call to boycott films in other languages, which is in line with the more general language and cultural concerns raised by Kannada organisations.
The issue of language remains a very important part of Karnataka's regional politics, with Kannada organisations often demanding Kannada in administration, education, business and public life to be given priority.
Farmers' Land And Development Projects
The proposed bandh will also be on farmers’ land.
One of the demands is that the government should drop plans involving the acquisition of farmers' land in Anekal and Bidadi.
Supporters of that demand maintain that farmers' interests should be protected and development projects should not be rushed and should not adversely affect agricultural communities.
Another demand is to increase the height of the Almatti reservoir, which has been a long-standing problem associated with irrigation and water availability in northern Karnataka.
Nagaraj has also demanded the implementation of the Mahadayi and Kalasa-Banduri projects, which are important for water supply and irrigation in the northern parts of the state.
North Karnataka Development
The proposed bandh also shows the need for North Karnataka’s development to be given greater priority.
Supporters argue that the region needs more investment in irrigation, infrastructure, employment and other development projects.
The demand is based on long-standing issues of regional disparities between parts of Karnataka.
Another demand for Belagavi is to give a resolution affirming that Belagavi is an integral part of Karnataka.
Mekedatu Project Also On The List
Another key demand related to the proposed bandh is the Mekedatu project.
Nagaraj has called for the project to be implemented at the earliest. The proposed reservoir project on the Cauvery river has been a contentious issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Karnataka has made clear that the project is essential for drinking water requirements and other state needs, while Tamil Nadu has been opposing it because of the potential impact of the project on downstream water availability.
Meeting In Hubballi
As preparations for the proposed bandh continue, a meeting related to the Karnataka bandh is going to be held in Hubballi.
According to the information provided, the meeting will take place at Kittur Rani Chennamma Circle at 11:30 am.
The meeting will discuss the demands, protest programmes and preparations for Thursday’s bandh. Representatives of those organisations that are supporting the protest will also be present.
Vatal Nagaraj Seeks Public Support
Nagaraj has been campaigning on issues concerning Kannada language, Karnataka's water resources, farmers and regional development for years.
Before the upcoming bandh, he is expected to push up his outreach in Bengaluru by driving around in an open vehicle and visiting different neighborhoods.
He has appealed to the public to engage in the bandh and to support the demands raised by Kannada organisations.
The proposed shutdown could therefore bring several Karnataka-specific issues into focus, from inter-state water disputes and irrigation projects to language policy, farmers’ land and regional development.
The final impact of the bandh will depend on the level of participation of organisations, businesses, transport operators, workers and members of the public.
For now, Vatal Nagaraj and other organisations are working to build momentum ahead of Thursday to pressure the government to act on their concerns over Karnataka’s water, land, language, culture and development.
