Bengaluru: The Karnataka bundh called to protest Supreme Court’s directive to Karnataka to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu has affected normal life in Bengaluru. Till now, except a few stray incidents, no incidents of violence are in Bengaluru due to the bandh.

Schools, colleges, malls and markets, industrial estates and hotels were closed. With the Bangalore Tourist Taxi Owners’ Association and taxi drivers and auto rickshaw drivers participating in the bandh, passengers who arrived in the morning at railway stations in the city find it tough to reach their destinations in the city. Many air passengers were rushed to the Kempe Gowda International Airport on Thursday night itself even though their flights are scheduled for Friday evening. They have reached the airport to avoid missing of flights due to non-availability of the transport facility on Friday.

Various Kannada organizations staged protest in front of Kempe Gowda International Airport. Women activists of Jaya Karnataka had tried to barge into the airport and shouted slogans against Minister for Infrastructure Development R Roshan Baig who had come to the airport to see off Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Digivijay Singh. Minister Roshan Baig was seen appealing the protestors not to take law into their hands. The minister said that he would respect the sentiments of people on Cauvery water dispute but the government would not hesitate to take action if the agitators damage public property or indulge in violence.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw slams Karnataka bandh

Opposing frequent bandhs in Karnataka, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairman and Managing Director of Biocon Ltd, on Friday tweeted – “Yes we should rename our city as Bandhaluru. I am in Delhi working. No day off for me”. She also said that it is sad that people two states are not able to share water.

Condemning Kiran Mazumdar Shaw for suggesting to rename Bengaluru as Bandhaluru, Kannada Chaluvali leader Vatal Nagaraj has advised her to leave Bengaluru and live in other place if she continues to criticize Bengaluru and Karnataka. “I recommend her to be admitted to NIMHANS for treatment,’’ Vatal Nagaraj said.

Mock funeral

Volunteers of Kannada organizations have organized a mock funeral of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in front of Town Hall. Hundreds of volunteers have attended the mock funeral in which priests offered prayers seeking hell for Jayalalithaa’s soul. They garlanded the photos of Jayalalitha and Prime Minister Narendra Modi with chappals.

Meanwhile, BJP Yuva Morcha activists have taken out a rally from Madiwala to Town Hall protesting Supreme Court’s directive to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. They shouted slogans demanding the state government not to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.