Schools in Bengaluru will be closed on Friday (September 9) on account of the strike called by the Karnataka Federation of Organisations or Kannada Ookutta protesting over the recent Supreme Court verdict on the Cauvery dispute.
D Shashi Kumar, Organising Secretary of the Karnataka State Private Schools Managements' Federation told The News Minute, that all private schools in the state have declared a holiday.
"However, all schools have been asked to have full day classes on Saturday for four weeks. We are mulling over cutting short Dasara break, but it has not been decided yet," said Shashi Kumar
Kumar added that the federation has advised the schools to hold a protest against the water release too.
"It shouldn't be like they declare holiday and do nothing. If there are people who think Karnataka's stand is fair, then they should hold a small protest," he said.
Pro-Karnataka groups on Tuesday called for a state-wide bandh on Friday (6 am to 6 pm) after the Supreme Court asked the state to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Government buses, auto rickshaws and auto services are set to take a hit. Shops, shopping malls, and theatres are also expected to be shut.
This comes soon after four school holidays, including the three day strikes due to BMTC strike and the September 2 trade union strike.
Times of India reported that some of the schools had classes on Saturdays in order to fulfil the number of minimum working days prescribed by the CBSE.
Meanwhile, protests continued in neighbouring Mandya district on Wednesday. At least three trucks were vandalised. A farmer in Mandya also attempted suicide in Srirangapatna but was halted just in time by the police.
Bengaluru also witnessed sporadic protests in Maurya Circle, Mysore Bank Circle and Majestic in Bengaluru.
Protesters of the KRV also blocked tracks for a couple of minutes in the Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station in Bengaluru before they were removed by the CRPF.
Police protection has been extended to three Bengaluru theatres, including Nataraj Theatre, Pushpanjali Theatre and Sampige Theatre, where Tamil films are usually screened.