Kannada actor and director Prem on Friday joined the protestors in Mandya and extended his support to the pro-Kannada organisations protesting over the Cauvery water-sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
All schools and colleges will remain closed on Saturday in Mandya and Bengaluru in view of 'Karnataka Bandh' being called by various farmer organizations over the Cauvery water row issue.
"As Karnataka bandh has been declared by various organizations, a holiday has been declared for all schools and colleges in Bengaluru city in the interest of students," said KA Dayananda, Bengaluru City District Deputy Commissioner.
"Bandh call was given by various organizations in Mandya with respect to the Cauvery water issue. On behalf of the police, we have made elaborate arrangements," DIG Southern Range MB Boralingaiah said.
JDS leader and former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday joined the protest in Mandya district called by Pro-Kannada outfits and farmer organisations over the release of the Cauvery water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
The strike called by activists and farmers came after the Supreme Court on Thursday refused to interfere with the order of the Cauvery Water Management Authority.
Karnataka has cited severe drought in parts of its state to refuse supply of water to Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu Government has accused its neighbour of lying to the nation on the supply of water.
Farmers in Mandya on Monday staged sit in protest and blocked road while demonstrating against the order of Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), asking the Karnataka government to continue releasing 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for another 15 days.