Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra announced on Monday that 30 people are arrested with violating COVID-19 protocols at the Congress' Mekedatu padayatra, which took place within the state's COVID-19 restrictions.  Despite the government's COVID-19 limitations, the Congress in Karnataka began an 11-day padayatra on Sunday, asking that the Mekedatu project across the Cauvery River be implemented.

Basavaraj Bommai, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, blasted Congress leader DK Shivakumar for allegedly refusing to take a COVID test following the padayatra. "This demonstrates his culture; he is unconcerned about other people's health," the Chief Minister added. The yatra was led by Shivakumar.

To combat the third wave of COVID-19, the Karnataka government has imposed a weekend curfew and limited public meetings until January 19. It also enforced a night curfew and banned all demonstrations, dharnas, and protests, among other things.

The Mekedatu balancing reservoir-cum drinking water project, which would be built across the Cauvery river basin, has sparked a debate between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Bommai had earlier noted on July 12, 2021 that the project must be approved by the Centre in accordance with the law, and that the state administration has no cause to stop it.

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