5,000 protesters took to the streets in Bengaluru to enforce Karnataka's day-long strike.
shut down technology capital Bengaluru, with hundreds of companies forced to remain closed and public transport services cancelled as thousands took to the streets over a water shortage.
Technology outsourcing giants Infosys and Wipro said they had told staff to take the day off and make up the time at the weekend.
The strike was called to protest against a Supreme Court order that Karnataka release thousands of gallons of water from its reservoirs to neighbouring Tamil Nadu, which says its farmers are in desperate need.
"The day-long, state-wide shutdown is in protest against the Supreme Court order and to express resentment over the state government releasing the water when we don't have it for drinking and irrigation," said Vatal Nagaraj, president of a local federation of civil society groups.
Around 5,000 protesters took to the streets of Bangalore, some burning tyres and effigies of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
The shut-down also left hundreds of rail and air passengers stranded at the city's railway station and airport, with no buses or taxis to take them.
"We will give our blood but not Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu," said Bangalore protester Pravin Shetty, referring to the river that flows through both states. "How can the state government release our water to grow crops in the neighbouring state when we don't have enough of it for drinking purposes this year?"