Cauvery Water Dispute: Vijay's Film Cancelled in Karnataka Amid Rising Tensions

Amid rising tension over the Cauvery water-sharing dispute, the screening of actor and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay's film Jana Nayagan has been stopped in Karnataka. Protests intensified after the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) directed Tamil Nadu to release water. Theatres cancelled shows as a precaution. Pro-Kannada groups went on a rampage in some theatres in Mandya. Sampige theatre in Bengaluru cancelled all scheduled shows for the day as a precaution. Theatre staff removed Vijay's posters, while some posters were covered with other posters to prevent any untoward incident. Security was tightened in sensitive areas. Srirampura police stepped up patrols and deployed additional personnel in areas with a large Tamil-speaking population to maintain law and order. As protests intensified over the Cauvery issue in Mandya, Karnataka, pro-Kannada activists removed pro-Kannada banners promoting'Cauvery water'until the next 15 days when the Karnataka Water Regulatory Commission (CWRC) recommended the removal of these banners.