The Karnataka bandh scheduled for Thursday, August 13 has been cancelled after the Federation of Kannada organisations divided over supporting the protest. According to reports from PTI, while federation president Vatal Nagaraj remains firm on the bandh, several organisations affiliated with the federation have decided not to support a total shutdown, though they have extended their 'moral support' to Nagaraj's protest. The bandh was originally scheduled from 6 am to 6 pm and came after the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water every day to Tamil Nadu for 15 days starting August 12. As per The News Minute, the shutdown was expected to affect public transport and shops and commercial establishments, while schools and offices were expected to operate as usual, with a clearer picture of disrupted services emerging by August 12 evening.
Transport services across Karnataka have distanced themselves from the bandh call, with employee associations of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) not backing the protest. According to PTI sources in the state transport department, private bus associations, transporters and autorickshaw associations have also distanced themselves from the call. Street vendors are expected to carry on with their business as usual, while government and private schools will also function normally, as most organisations have limited their support to the protest. However, the organisers have appealed to hotel owners in Bengaluru and Mysuru to shut their establishments on August 13, with some establishments, particularly in Bengaluru and other cities, likely to remain closed or operate with reduced services in support of the bandh.
Banks across India maintain standard operating hours with public dealing operations commencing at 10:00 AM and closing access to in-branch services at 4:00 PM on working days. According to Mint, banks across Manipur will remain closed on Thursday, August 13, for Patriot Day, which honours soldiers and leaders who sacrificed their lives during the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891. The upcoming bank holidays include Independence Day on August 15, followed by regional holidays across various states throughout August. As per The News Minute, banks are expected to remain open in Karnataka on August 13, 2026, as the RBI publishes a holiday calendar that specifies when banks are closed. All scheduled and non-scheduled banks observe a public holiday on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, as per RBI guidelines.
Banks are expected to remain open in Karnataka on August 13, 2026, as the RBI publishes a holiday calendar that specifies when banks are closed. All scheduled and non-scheduled banks observe a public holiday on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, as per RBI guidelines. Even if there is a bank holiday, customers can continue using digital banking services such as mobile banking, internet banking and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), subject to service availability. ATMs are also usually available on holidays, although cash availability may vary from location to location.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has stated that the state has a responsibility to protect its farmers while also complying with court orders regarding the Cauvery water dispute. According to PTI, Shivakumar said he knows that 3,500 cusecs orders have come and is monitoring the inflow situation. He emphasized his duty to protect farmers while abiding by court orders, stating he will discuss with the irrigation minister and officials. The Mandya District Farmers' Welfare Protection Committee has announced a protest near the Visvesvaraya statue in Mandya on Wednesday, with farmer leaders describing the CWMA's direction as a threat to Karnataka's water security and appealing for no water release under any circumstances. Meanwhile, the Karnataka Kavalu Pade (KKP) has decided to indirectly support the bandh, with President Mohan Kumar Gowda announcing members would stage a symbolic protest at Harding Circle in Mysuru, lying down for an hour starting 11 am. The Cauvery water dispute has gained fresh attention due to Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, with Tamil Nadu traditionally opposing the project, arguing it could impact Cauvery water flow downstream.
