Ahead of bandh, Vatal Nagaraj campaigns in city seeking support

Vatal Nagaraj campaigns to garner support for Karnataka Bandh opposing govt's decision to release water to TN. He urges public to protect Cauvery river and farmers in distress. He visits malls to spread awareness and receives overwhelming response. Auto, cab and hotel associations extend support. Protesters to block highways and hold rally from Town Hall to Freedom Park.

Ahead of the Karnataka bandh called on Friday, Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj engaged in a campaign urging the general public to support the Karnataka Bandh call and oppose the Karnataka government’ decision to release water to Tamil Nadu. 

Mr. Nagaraj had not supported the Bengaluru bandh called on Tuesday by Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti which is led by Kuruburu Shantakumar. On Monday, after Mr. Nagaraj held a meeting on holding a Karnataka bandh on Friday, several organisations, including autorickshaw and cab unions, withdrew support.

Mr. Nagaraj has now turned his attention to garner support and ensure a successful bandh. He asked people to support the call to protect the Cauvery river and in the interest of farmers who are in distress. 

Mr. Nagaraj talking to The Hindu said he took out an intense campaign visiting several malls across the city. “We received overwhelming response from everyone and the bandh will be successful. The auto, cab and hotel associations also extended the support for the call,” he said, adding that on the bandh day, protesters will block national highways across the state and will hold a massive rally from Town Hall to Freedom Park.