Cauvery dispute: BJP extends support to peaceful 'bandh' in Tamil Nadu

New Delhi [India], Sept. 16 (ANI): As various trade organizations and farmer associations called for statewide shutdown today in Tamil Nadu over the ongoing dispute on Cauvery water and agitation against Tamils in Karnataka, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has extended their hand to the shutdown. However, the party said that it would support a "peaceful" bandh. "Bandh has been organised in Tamil Nadu and it is a healthy trend that all the neutral organizations like, lorry owners, education institution and unorganized sectors, neutral sectors have come forward to support the band. We are supporting a peaceful bandh, which is organised against the atrocities happened against Tamil Nadu people in Karnataka," BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan told ANI. Soundararajan said that some political parties and organisations are trying to take advantage of this shutdown and are purposely criticising the central government. While further commenting on the widespread protest and agitation that took place in Karnataka in recent days, she said that the state government should be held responsible for the loss of property and violence in Karnataka as they were only playing the role of a spectator rather then taking any serious action. "The Congress government ruling in Karnataka failed to protect the Tamilians and if the bandh is due to that we will support it. We are supporting a peaceful bandh. We are not supporting violent agitation planned by some organisation. We strongly condemn it," she said. The Supreme Court yesterday expressed its dismay over people taking the law into their own hands, and insisted that the state authorities take immediate preventive action. Justice Deepak Misra observed that "it is the duty of states to see that no agitation and no damage take place. We expect the people from both states to maintain peace, harmony and above all dignity and respect for the law. We sincerely hope wisdom shall prevail over authorities in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu." The top court has also asked the counsels of both states to go through the petition and file their responses by September 20. Situation pacified in Bengaluru, a day of after uneasy calm prevailed in the city, following large-scale violence over Cauvery water sharing row with Tamil Nadu. Curfew, imposed late on Monday night, was lifted in 16 police station limits of the city on Wednesday. However, prohibitory orders are still in place. (ANI)