Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: Protesters detained, security heightened at key locations; schools, banks open

Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: Security has been heightened in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka amid the day-long shutdown call. The Mandya district administration has imposed strict restrictions on liquor sales and the security has been stepped up at key locations where protests are expected.

Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: Security has been beefed up across various parts of Karnataka, including Bengaluru, in view of the bandh call. (ANI videograb)

Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: Schools, banks, hospitals, pharmacies, public transport will operate normally in Karnataka today amid the bandh call given by several Kanada organisations over the Cauvery water-sharing row....Read More

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• 13 Aug 2026, 08:59:32 AM IST

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: Why SC hearing on Cauvery dispute was deferred to August 17

  The Supreme Court has deferred to August 17 the hearing on Tamil Nadu’s plea seeking directions to Karnataka to comply with the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s (CWMA) decision on the release of Cauvery water, after Justice Vikram Nath, who was to head the bench hearing the matter, fell ill with viral fever.

  Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Wednesday said that the matter, which was earlier scheduled to be heard on Thursday, will now come up before a bench headed by Justice Nath, who is expected to resume judicial work next week. Click here to read full report

• 13 Aug 2026, 08:55:08 AM IST

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: Karnataka to decide future course after SC hearing

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Wednesday said the state would find it difficult to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu as directed by the CWMA.

  He said the government would decide its future course of action based on the outcome of a Supreme Court hearing, asserting that it would ensure that no injustice was done to the state.

  The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee, which met in New Delhi on Tuesday, directed Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from August 12.

  The Cauvery Water Management Authority subsequently upheld the decision.

  "I have held discussions with the Chief Minister (D K Shivakumar) and officials. The CM spoke to our Advocate General and advocates in Delhi. Tamil Nadu's petition is coming up before the Supreme Court tomorrow; it has been listed. We will have an opportunity there, and our advocates will file our objections. Let's see what the Supreme Court says. Thereafter, we will have further options," Reddy said.

  via PTI

• 13 Aug 2026, 08:36:26 AM IST

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: What are the Karnataka bandh timings?

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: A statewide bandh in Karnataka will be observed from 6 am to 6 pm on August 13, Thursday.

• 13 Aug 2026, 08:35:07 AM IST

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: What Bengaluru Police said ahead of bandh

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: The Bengaluru City Police have appealed for calm and cooperation ahead of the 'Karnataka Bandh' called for August 13, 2026, in protest against the Cauvery Water Management Authority's order on Cauvery water allocation to Tamil Nadu.

  In a press note issued, the Commissioner of Police said several organisations have called for the bandh, while other organisations have informed police that they are not supporting it.

  The Bengaluru City Police stated that they fully respect citizens' democratic right to protest peacefully within the law. At the same time, police said it is equally important to respect the right of other citizens to carry out daily activities without obstruction.

  "All organisations and members of the public are requested to cooperate with the Bengaluru City Police in maintaining peace, public order and normalcy in the city," the note said.

  Police warned that no individual or organisation should force, threaten or compel anyone to participate in the bandh, close shops, establishments or institutions, obstruct vehicular movement, or participate in protests against their will.

• 13 Aug 2026, 08:27:34 AM IST

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: Heavy deployment in Bengaluru | WATCH

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: Police security tightened across the city ahead of the 'Karnataka Bandh' called today over the ongoing Cauvery water dispute.

• 13 Aug 2026, 08:22:10 AM IST

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: What is open, what is closed amid shutdown call?

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: Schools, banks and hospitals will function per normal.

  Public transport will also remain unaffected as Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) employees' association have not provided support to the bandh. So are the private bus associations, transporters and autorickshaw associations, who have distanced themselves from the bandh.

  Similarly, street vendors will also function as usual because everyone is only extending moral support.

• 13 Aug 2026, 08:19:26 AM IST

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: Government buses from Tamil Nadu operate to Karnataka via Hosur

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: Government buses from Tamil Nadu operate to Karnataka via Hosur amid a one-day bandh called by Kannada organisations over the Mekedatu Dam issue, news agency ANI reported.

• 13 Aug 2026, 08:15:08 AM IST

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: Restrictions on liquor sales and heightened security in Mandya district

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: Security has been heightened in Mandya district amid the statewide Karnataka Bandh call today. The Mandya district administration has also imposed strict restrictions on liquor sales.

  As a precautionary measure, the Deputy Commissioner has ordered a ban on the sale of liquor in KR Pet, Srirangapatna, Maddur and Mandya taluks. The DC has also prohibited the sale, transportation and storage of liquor in the district for the day.

  In Mandya city, police have sounded a high alert at Sanjay Circle, where a large protest is expected. Additional forces have been deployed as a precaution. Local police personnel, along with DAR and KSRP platoons, have been stationed at the spot to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents during the bandh.

  via ANI

• 13 Aug 2026, 08:12:05 AM IST

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: What's open, what's closed amid day-long shutdown over Cauvery water-sharing dispute?

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: Banks, hospitals, pharmacies and public transport and other essential services are likely to remain unaffected during the statewide bandh that will remain in effective from 6 am to 6 pm on August 13.

  The schools will also function per usual during the statewide bandh, The News Minute reported, citing Karnataka Associated Managements of Schools (KAMS). The body had earlier called for the closure of schools, but later rolled back the call, saying that it would impact the academic schedules. Click here to see full list

• 13 Aug 2026, 08:10:37 AM IST

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: Federation of Kannada organisations divided over bandh call

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: The Federation of Kannada organisations is divided on the call for a strike on Thursday against the CWMA direction to release 12,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.

  While the federation president Vatal Nagaraj is adamant, many other organisations associated with the federation have backed off, saying that they would not support 'Bandh' (total shutdown).

  However, they said they would offer their "moral support to Nagaraj's fight".

  "We support Vatal Nagaraj's struggle, but under tomorrow's circumstances, we are not in a position to support the bandh", Praveen Shetty, who heads one of the factions of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, told reporters.

  According to sources in the state transport department, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) employees' association have not provided support to the bandh. So are the private bus associations, transporters and autorickshaw associations, who have distanced themselves from the bandh.

  Similarly, street vendors will also function as usual because everyone is only extending moral support. Government and the private schools will also function the same way.

  However, Raitha Hitarakshana Samithi and a few other farmers' associations have extended their support to Bandh.

  Sunanda of Raitha Hitarakshana Samithi said her organisation supports the strike because injustice has been meted out to Karnataka.

  Vatal Nagaraj and organisations backing him are opposing the CWMA's order of releasing 12,000 cusecs (Cubic feet per second) of Cauvery water for 15 days to Tamil Nadu, which started from Wednesday morning.

  via PTI

• 13 Aug 2026, 08:07:03 AM IST

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: SC defers Cauvery water plea to Aug 17 as judge recovers from viral fever

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE updates: The Supreme Court has deferred to August 17 the hearing on Tamil Nadu’s plea seeking directions to Karnataka to comply with the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s (CWMA) decision on the release of Cauvery water, after Justice Vikram Nath, who was to head the bench hearing the matter, fell ill with viral fever.

  Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Wednesday said that the matter, which was earlier scheduled to be heard on Thursday, will now come up before a bench headed by Justice Nath, who is expected to resume judicial work next week.

  Senior advocate P Wilson, appearing for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and some farmers, mentioned the party’s application before the CJI and sought that it be taken up along with Tamil Nadu’s plea. Wilson pointed out that the CWMA had since passed a fresh order directing Karnataka to release water, but the direction was not being complied with.

  The CJI informed Wilson that Justice V Mohana had recused herself from hearing the matter and that the case would consequently be placed before a bench headed by Justice Nath. However, with Justice Nath down with viral and likely to return only next week, the matter will now be heard on August 17.

  Read full report here

• 13 Aug 2026, 08:03:08 AM IST

  Karnataka bandh LIVE updates: Police detain protesters during bandh

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE updates: Police have detaind the protestors after they called for a statewide bandh, protesting over the Cauvery water issue. The bandh was led by Karnataka Okkuta State President Vatal Nagaraj along with various pro-Kannada groups.

• 13 Aug 2026, 07:54:03 AM IST

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE updates: DMK member demands rejection of Mekedatu dam project of Karnataka on Cauvery river

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE updates: DMK member Tiruchi Siva on Wednesday urged the Centre to reject a detailed project report of the Karnataka government on Mekedatu dam across the Cauvery river.

  He said the project is a unilateral initiative by Karnataka and it does not have the concurrence of the lower riparian state of Tamil Nadu in the basin.

  "Tamil Nadu State Assembly has unanimously passed the resolution against the said project. I hereby urge the government to not approve the DPR of the said project and constitute a tribunal with regard to Mekedatu dam to save the livelihood of farmers of Tamil Nadu," Siva said.

  He said the project goes against the constitutional mandate of division of subjects, since the regulation of inter-state rivers is a union subject.

  "It also fringes upon the principle laid down by the Supreme Court in 2007, which restricted upper riparian states to not take any action affecting scheduled deliveries of water to the lower riparian states," Siva said.

  He said there have been instances of non-compliances of the Supreme Court orders and the tribunal award by Karnataka.

  "Cauvery is a deficit basin with apportioned water. It has no surplus for the proposed reservoir without compromising with the basic needs of Tamil Nadu, which would drastically affect the farmers and their livelihood," Siva said.

  via PTI

• 13 Aug 2026, 07:44:20 AM IST

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE updates: HD Kumaraswamy slams Karnataka government's handling of Cauvery crisis

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE updates: The Congress government in Karnataka has repeatedly failed to safeguard the state's interests on the Cauvery issue and has kept its own legal team out of the decision-making process, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy alleged on Wednesday.

  Addressing a press conference here, Kumaraswamy strongly criticised the state government for failing to adequately consult and respect the senior legal counsel representing Karnataka before the Supreme Court and the Cauvery authorities and committees.

  He referred to the meeting of Karnataka MPs convened by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar at Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi, where senior counsel Mohan Katarki was reportedly not even provided a chair and subsequently left the meeting. Kumaraswamy said the incident reflected the government's lack of seriousness in handling a matter of such importance.

  He also criticised the manner in which legal experts were treated at the all-party meeting held subsequently at the Krishna office in Bengaluru.

  "The views of our legal experts should have been sought at the very outset. Instead, the government proceeded without adequate legal or technical consultation. This is a clear indication of the lack of foresight and preparedness in the way the Cauvery issue is being handled," Kumaraswamy said.

  via ANI

• 13 Aug 2026, 07:34:53 AM IST

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE updates: What Kanada organisations said ahead of shutdown

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE updates: Farmers and Kannada organisations in Karnataka are protesting against the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) order directing the state to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from August 12.

  The CWMA has directed Karnataka to comply with the decision of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) to release 12,000 cusecs daily for 15 days, with the water to be realised at Biligundlu.

  The order has triggered strong opposition among farmers and pro-Kannada groups, who have demanded that the Karnataka government refuse to implement it and take a firm stand against releasing further water to Tamil Nadu.

  "We will observe Bandh at any cost. I appeal to everyone to support our call for strike," Vatal Nagaraj, convener of Kannada Chalavali Vatal Paksha told reporters.

  The Mandya District Farmers' Welfare Protection Committee has announced a protest near the Visvesvaraya statue in Mandya on Wednesday, urging farmers, Kannada organisations, workers, women and citizens to participate.

  "We have to protect the interests of Karnataka farmers. The government should not release water under any circumstances," a farmer leader said, calling the CWMA direction a threat to the state's water security.

  via PTI

• 13 Aug 2026, 07:18:25 AM IST

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE updates: Security heightened in Bengaluru

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE updates: To ensure public safety and maintain law and order during the Karnataka Bandh, the Bengaluru City Police have made precautionary and security arrangements across the city. Adequate police deployment, patrolling and security measures have been put in place at important and sensitive locations.

  The department said any act involving violence, threats, damage to public or private property, obstruction of road traffic or essential services, or any other act of taking the law into one's own hands will be dealt with "firmly and appropriately in accordance with the law."

  via PTI

• 13 Aug 2026, 07:09:33 AM IST

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE updates: CM Shivakumar says will protect farmers’ interest

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE updates: As the protests broke out in the Cauvery region over the water-sharing with Tamil Nadu, Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar said the state government has the duty to protect the state's farmers and abide by court orders, and the government will decide on it after assessing the situation.

  "I know that 12,000 cusecs orders have come. I'm also monitoring our inflow. Considering our situation, I have the duty to protect our farmers. We must protect our farmers and also abide by the court orders. Keeping both these aspects in mind, I will discuss with the irrigation minister and officials," Shivakumar said.

  via PTI

• 13 Aug 2026, 07:03:15 AM IST

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE updates: How are schools supporting the bandh call?

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE updates: While the schools will operate per normal on August 13 during Karnataka Bandh, the school managements, teaching staff and non-teaching employees have been asked to wear black ribbons or black strips as a mark of solidarity, The News Minute reported.

• 13 Aug 2026, 07:00:12 AM IST

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE Updates: What is open? What is closed?

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE Updates: Schools will operate per normal on August 13 during Karnataka Bandh, The News Minute reported, citing Karnataka Associated Managements of Schools (KAMS). The body had earlier called for the closure of schools, but later rolled back the call, saying that it would impact the academic schedules.

  Banks, hospitals, pharmacies and public transport and other essential services are likely to remain unaffected during the statewide bandh that will remain in effective from 6 am to 6 pm on August 13.

• 13 Aug 2026, 06:57:59 AM IST

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE Updates: Bandh timings

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE Updates: Karnataka bandh will be observed for 12 hours from 6 am to 6 pm on Thursday, August 13.

• 13 Aug 2026, 06:56:02 AM IST

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE Updates: Why is Karnataka observing bandh today?

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE Updates: Several farmer leaders and Kanada organisations are protesting against the Cauvery water-sharing with Tamil Nadu after the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) order directing the state to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from August 12.

  The CWMA has directed Karnataka to comply with the decision of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) to release 12,000 cusecs daily for 15 days, with the water to be realised at Biligundlu.

• 13 Aug 2026, 06:54:34 AM IST

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE Updates: Bengaluru police appeal for peace

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE Updates: The Bengaluru City Police have appealed for calm and cooperation ahead of the 'Karnataka Bandh' called for August 13, 2026, in protest against the Cauvery Water Management Authority's order on Cauvery water allocation to Tamil Nadu.

  In a press note issued, the Commissioner of Police said several organisations have called for the bandh, while other organisations have informed police that they are not supporting it.

  The Bengaluru City Police stated that they fully respect citizens' democratic right to protest peacefully within the law. At the same time, police said it is equally important to respect the right of other citizens to carry out daily activities without obstruction.

  "All organisations and members of the public are requested to cooperate with the Bengaluru City Police in maintaining peace, public order and normalcy in the city," the note said.

  via PTI

• 13 Aug 2026, 06:52:34 AM IST

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE Updates: Karnataka Bandh today

  Karnataka Bandh LIVE Updates: Karnataka will observe a day-long bandh today in protest against the Cauvery water-sharing row. This comes after the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) order directing the state to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from August 12.