The week gone by will go down in the history of IT capital of the country, Bengaluru as a dark spot on the glorious contribution of the citizens in putting the city on the international map. If Bengaluru had in the past made news for all the right reasons, this time it was for all the wrong ones , The looting , arson , violence and hatred on streets of the city made international headlines. #BrandBengaluru is important to the Karnataka government given the fact that even before the state could celebrate the tag of being the biggest Investment destination after it got huge investments of over 60000 crores the violence raised questions of safety and security.

Even though the streak of violence lasted just over a day the visuals of burning vehicles set ablaze by mods and visuals of joyous crowds left a scar on #BrandBengaluru . The brazenness of the attack and open defiance of the law was established by the fact that the mobs clicked ‘selfies’ , shot phone videos to establish their contribution in the ‘fight for our rights’. The trigger came from the 12^th September verdict of the Supreme court which amended its earlier order of 5^th Sept 2016 directing Karnataka to release a bigger quantum of Cauvery water to Tamilnadu.

The power of the Social Media to damage the social fabric and become provocative came to the fore. A video clip from Rameshwaram in Tamilnadu showing a kannadiga driver being beaten up by a fringe Tamil Outfit went viral invoking a backlash with another video clip in which a Tamilian boy being thrashed for his comments against Kannada film actors found its way to the TV channels triggering debates , discussions and ammunition enough to provoke masses. The objective of the divisive forces was achieved  Slogans  like “ Cauvery Nammadhe “ ( Cauvery is Ours) and “Beke Beke Beku Nyaya Beku” ( We want Justice) rant the air as protestors backed by political entities and linguistic groups.

Police department was found with its hands tied as the political administration not willing to crush the agitation with a firm hand. The Bengaluru City Police was not geared for tackling the waves of strong violence as it was found wanting on many fronts. Even as the world watched Bengaluru burning the damage had been done . prominent Bengalurians sought intervention. Ex Infosys director Mohandas Paai tweeted the Chief minister , “@CMofKarnataka @CPBlr Sir becoming very serious Globally ! Pl restore confidence”. Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar Shaw tweeted “Media needs to be responsible at times of violence. Pl don’t whip up emotions but restrain them through voices of reason”.

But the damage to #BrandBengaluru , the global face of the country had been done. The prominence that Bengaluru gets on news media due to its international brand value , focused the media coverage to the city.  National media channels gleefully beamed the dramatic visuals of burning vehicles and stone pelting , it was a feast strong enough for channels to gather TRP’s. The usual NBA guidelines which are followed with respect to many other states was  given a complete go-by and footages showing provocative scenes were telecast with brazen aplomb.

It was only much later that the question“ What is the impact on #BrandBengaluru?” was raised by some ?

It was albeit a little later that the pressure was put on the arsonists as the Bengaluru police took to social media to counter the misinformation campaign. The social media cell of the city police tweeted information to dispel panic. After a go ahead from the Chief minister it cracked down on the activists and rounded up around 600 of them in an overnight operation. The transfers of 5 IPS officers within 48 hours of arson instilled some discipline . Speaking to media after the cabinet Siddaramaiah assured Bengaluru that there was no reason to panic as water supply till June 2017 could be managed . “ I appeal for peace , we will comply with the Supreme Court directive to release water, there is a main petition of the state which comes up on 18^th October to defend Karnataka’s share in Cauvery water dispute” said Siddaramaiah . No doubt the state has been caught in a catch 22 situation , with over 35% over all shortfall in rains this year and  the position in the state’s reservoirs at 31.52 Tmcft on 14^th Sept compared to 59.98 Tmcft last year.

The demand for drinking water purposes from Cauvery has grown in the last decade. A rapidly growing Bengaluru has seen the population rise to over 12 million people from around 4 million people a decade back. While Karnataka government has been trying its best to implement provision of drinking water supplies to most residents, moves to expand the same have been opposed by Tamilnadu. No wonder every time the Cauvery water dispute arises Bengaluru comes to a boil.

It may require some innovative thinking to ensure that Cauvery water row doesn’t flare sentiments again apart from an effective policing to prevent repeat of what happened last week.