A day after Karnataka reported 8,906 Covid cases - the Congress launched a 10-day protest march - over a drinking water project - that had participation from thousands defying "pandemic protocols, including the use of face masks and maintain social distance," reports ndtv.com.

"The march - titled 'namma neeru, namma hakku, or 'our water, our right' - was led by Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah and state Congress chief DK Shivakumar, who told NDTV "there is no corona... no disease (in Ramnagara district, where the padyatra was flagged off)".

"We are walking for water. The BJP government wants to stop us... but there is no coronavirus, no disease here. They simply imposed Section 144 (to ban large gatherings) and said no one can enter this area," Shivakumar told NDTV.

The march - which is scheduled to cover 100 km over its 10 days - began on Sunday despite the Karnataka government ordering a weekend curfew that is in effect till 5 am Monday.

The portal further adds, "Visuals showed hundreds, possibly thousands, standing shoulder-to-shoulder under the hot sun, listening to political leaders make speeches. During the march itself many disregarded social distancing norms and even fewer wore face masks. As he marched along (wearing black sneakers for comfort) Mr Shivakumar was not wearing a face mask either, despite being surrounded by people."

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai warned of legal action if the rules are violated.