Mysuru: The internal differences between various Kannada outfits and the cause behind the bandh failed in its mission to evoke expected response like in earlier situations in Karnataka today.
Speaking to media, State Water Resources Minister aptly questioned, “Bandh for what and against whom?”, which summarised the reason for the failure. He justified state’s contribution towards irrigation projects and programmes and assured of doing more in case the ruling regime returns to power and sought prime minister’s intervention to resolve Mahadayi issue.
The pro-Kannada organisations had called for a day’s state bandh on June 12, urging both state and centre to solve Mahadayi water dispute as well as provide succour to water starved regions in Kolar and Chikkaballapur. Since both ruling and opposition parties are on opposite sides with regard to Mahadayi, the bandh organisers failed to get the desired response from the national parties. In addition, the state ruling party leaders had informed the Kannada organisations to go soft on the issue to prevent the bandh from denting its image, it is gathered.
Apart from above, the rain Gods turned the other way as heavy rains lashed the coastal regions and some parts of south interior Karnataka. Though fighting against the Kerala government for making Malayalam compulsory in schools in Kasaragod is on the agenda of bandh organisers, heavy rains lashing the region in the last 48 hours doused the little flames. Normal life is affected due to heavy rains in all the coastal districts in the last 2 days with deaths reported due to landslides.
Bandh failed to evoke any response in the Cauvery basin areas. Few incidents of forced closure of shops by pro-Kannada activists were reported in Ramanagara town.
Bandh received good response in water starved districts of Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Hubballi and other Mahadayi affected areas in North Karnataka region.
Mixed response to the bandh in the capital Bengaluru has been reported and few pro-Kannada organisations had planned a rally starting from Town hall to culminate with the picketing of Vidhana Soudha.
Top officials from state police department confirmed not giving permission to bandh and have warned of serious consequences to those disturbing peace. However, they have given an informal nod to peaceful protests.
