Kannada activists protesting the release of water to Tamil Nadu from the Cauvery attempted to close down companies which had opened their offices on Friday.
Within hours of the Supreme Court directing the Karnataka government to release water to Tamil Nadu, Kannada groups and farmers’ organizations had declared a state-wide bandh on Friday.
Protests erupted in several parts of the state with two epicentres – Mandya-Mysuru and Bengaluru.
Bengaluru observed a near complete shutdown, with only a few private vehicles seen on the roads. Many Kannada activists however, attempted to force establishments which had opened for work.
Live videos were posted on Facebook page "Kirik Keerthi".
Keerthi Shankaraghatta, who was among the activists, told The News Minute that they went to Vijaya Bank on MG Road, Duestche Bank on MG Road, Accenture near Garuda Mall and Ola office Xchanging office, ICICI Bank in Koramangala.
Except for Ola all companies were forced to close their office. Ola called the police who asked the activists to leave the premises, he claimed.
Keerthi said that while private companies are not bound to close, but they must do so because they live on the land that is suffering.
"They come and live here, which means our resources are being used by them. Tomorrow if there is no water in the city will they have an office here?" he asks.
Not just Keerthi, activists from Karnataka Rakshana Vedike closed down many offices operating in Manyata Techpark in the morning.
Elsewhere in Bengaluru, instances of vandalism were also reported.