Cauvery issue: Karnataka bandh; No school or college holidays declared in coastal districts

The Karnataka bandh called by numerous pro-Kannada and pro-farmer organizations, in protest against the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu, witnessed only moral support along the coastal regions. Notably, no holiday declarations were made for schools and colleges in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

The private bus owners’ organization offered moral support to the bandh but confirmed that private buses would operate as usual in both Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. Expressing concern for students, employees, and the general public, the private bus union stated that continuing bus services was vital to ensure daily life ran smoothly.

The decision to grant holidays to government schools and colleges falls under the purview of district commissioners, as delegated by the education department. Thus far, the education department has not officially announced any holiday for educational institutions, but they have verbally conveyed that district collectors may consider granting leave based on the prevailing situation.

With private buses running and no official holiday announcements, it is anticipated that daily life will largely proceed unhindered in both coastal districts.