Karnataka Bandh On March 22: Pro-Kannada Protests To Disrupt Services – What's Open, What's Closed

The Bandh follows an incident in Belagavi where a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus conductor was reportedly attacked for not speaking Marathi.

The incident has heightened concerns in the border district, where Kannada and Marathi-speaking populations have long coexisted.

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Karnataka is set to experience a statewide bandh on March 22 as pro-Kannada organizations protest an alleged language-related assault in Belagavi. The 12-hour shutdown, called by Kannada Okkoota, will take place from 6 AM to 6 PM, drawing attention to ongoing linguistic tensions in the state.

The protest follows an incident in Belagavi where a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus conductor was reportedly attacked for not speaking Marathi, as per reports. The conductor, who reportedly did not know Marathi, insisted a passenger to speak in Kannada. The incident has heightened concerns in the border district, where Kannada and Marathi-speaking populations have long coexisted.

Essential Services To Continue

Despite the bandh, essential services such as hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies will remain operational. Milk supply and hotel services are also expected to continue without disruption, with the Bangalore Hotel Association confirming that restaurants will stay open. Bengaluru’s Namma Metro will function as usual, ensuring public transport availability within the city.

However, some sectors are likely to be affected. 

Affected Services

Auto-rickshaw and cab services, including Ola and Uber, may experience disruptions due to union support for the bandh. Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) markets are expected to remain shut, impacting trade for the day, as per a report on One India. The entertainment industry may also pause activities, with theaters and film chambers likely to suspend screenings. Many shopping malls, retail outlets, and small businesses may decide to close, with uncertainty looming over the participation of street vendors.

The bandh coincides with the ongoing Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) exams, but no SSLC tests are scheduled for March 22, reported Economic Times. Some schools conducting internal exams for lower grades have chosen to proceed as planned since educational institutions attempt to minimize disruptions.