Karnataka: The Congress' padayatra (protest rally) in Karnataka, demanding that the Mekedatu project across the Cauvery River be completed quickly, is now in its second day. On Monday, the Congress leaders would march 16 kilometres to Kanakapura city by nightfall.

D.K. Shivakumar, the state Congress president, is leading the 10-day padayatra. Thousands of people are taking part in the padayatra despite the Karnataka government's Covid-19 restrictions and curfew, increasing concerns about the virus's rapid spread. The Congress has stated that the padayatra will go on regardless of what happens.

After finishing the first day of the protest march in his hometown of Doddahalalli on Sunday night, Shivakumar refused to take the Covid test. He took the health officer to task and said he is fit enough to walk 15 kilometer  since morning.

"It's disgraceful for Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to use such sleazy measures to derail the padayatra. Allow him (CM Bommai), Araga Jnanendra, and K. Sudhakar, the Home Minister, to take Covid tests. I can walk with Home Minister on my shoulder. I am aware of my legal rights. I'm not going to be tested, "he stated. Due to a fever, opposition leader Siddaramaiah was unable to participate in the padayatra and returned to Bengaluru after the inauguration.

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