Karnataka saw a mixed response to the statewide bandh on August 13, with the strongest impact reported from the Cauvery basin while Bengaluru, Mysuru and several other major urban centres largely carried on with normal life. The protest was called by pro-Kannada organisations led by activist Vatal Nagaraj to oppose the order to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
The trigger this time in the long-running water feud was a fresh round of orders from the Cauvery water-sharing authorities. The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee -- and subsequently the Cauvery Water Management Authority -- directed Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu.
