Even as commuters sighed in relief after transport corporation workers called off their strike, farmers groups have called for a bandh over the Mahadayi row on Thursday.
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha president Kodihalli Chandrashekar has called for a state-wide bandh on Thursday. “We condemn this verdict which is anti-Karnataka. I appeal to the farmers and to everyone to support the bandh (Thursday) to protest against this verdict.”
However, it is unclear yet whether schools and colleges will be open. Some schools in Bengaluru have declared holiday while others have not. Government sources say the call for bandh is likely to have much effect in most places other than North Karnataka.
Buses however, are likely to remain off the roads, at least during the first half of the day.
President of the Kannada Okoota Vatal Nagaraj has called for a bandh on July 30. Holding a press conference in Bengaluru, he said that Kannada organizations would begin protests from Thursday onwards over the rejection of Karnataka’s plea to release 7.5tmc water.
President of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce too has extended its support to the protests. The film industry has called for a bandh on July 30.
The Tribunal on Wednesday rejected Karnataka’s plea seeking that Goa release 7.5 tmc of water. The Tribunal, headed by JN Panchal heard arguments by counsels for the two states on Tuesday, and reserved its orders for Wednesday.
Karnataka had filed an interim application with the Tribunal seeking 7.5tmc water to be released from the Mahadayi in Goa for the Malaprabha Lift Irrigation project. Wednesday’s verdict is only the interim order not the final one.
People in several parts of Gadag, Belagavi, and Dharwad districts are protesting over the ruling of the Tribunal, which is perceived to be an injustice to the state. These districts have faced a serious shortage of water, which was particularly bad during the drought in the past year.