Why Have Kannada Groups Called For Karnataka Bandh Today?
Karnataka bandh: Kannada groups have called for a 12-hour state-wide shutdown on March 22. The bandh has been supported by KSRTC and BMTC.
Karnataka Bandh today: Several Kannada support groups have called for a Karnataka bandh on Saturday, March 22, to protest against an alleged attack on a bus conductor in Belagavi. The bandh is scheduled from 6 AM to 6 PM. However, the Karnataka government is not supporting this bandh.
Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar had said on Thursday that the Siddaramaiah government would not support the bandh. He said, "We shall explain to them [the organisations] that this is not the right way to protest as it would affect students whose exams are underway."
Why Was The Bus Conductor 'Assaulted'?
Last month, a KSRTC bus conductor operating from Belagavi to Balekundri was allegedly attacked by people associated with Marathi-supporting organisations for speaking Kannada. The incident escalated, leading to the suspension of bus services between Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Last month, a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) conductor on a Belagavi-Balekundri bus was allegedly attacked by people associated with Marathi-supporting organisations for speaking Kannada. He was assaulted for not speaking Marathi, leading to a dispute and the suspension of bus services between Maharashtra and Karnataka.
The attack on the conductor reignited the long-standing language debate between the two states. Belagavi has a large Marathi-speaking population, and after India's independence, Maharashtra claimed Belagavi, but it was included in Karnataka. Since then, linguistic conflict has been an issue on the border of the two states.
Following the call for the Karnataka bandh, additional security forces are being deployed in Belagavi and other sensitive areas of the state. Passengers, businesses, and students have been warned that their normal routines may be affected by the bandh.
What Will Be Open And What Will Be Closed During The Karnataka Bandh?
Bus services: Unions of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) have supported the bandh, which may impact bus services across the state.
Taxi and auto services: Private third-party transport services such as Ola, Uber, and some autorickshaw unions have also supported the bandh, which could potentially cripple daily commutation in the state. However, metro, railway and airport services will continue uninterrupted.
Banks: Banks will remain closed as it is a Saturday. Some schools and colleges may observe a holiday, but no official announcement has been made yet.
Restaurants and cinemas: Restaurants and cinemas, among other businesses, have extended token support to the bandh after being contacted by Kannada support organisations. However, they are expected to remain open.
Government offices: Government offices will remain open
Hospitals and healthcare facilities: All establishments providing healthcare or other essential services will also remain operational.
Demand For Ban On Marathi Outfits
Kannada Okkuta, an umbrella organisation of several Kannada organisations, called for the bandh on Saturday. It has demanded strict action against activists associated with Marathi organisations for "inciting violence in the region" and "disrupting communal harmony". The Kannada Okkuta has also demanded a ban on Marathi-supporting organisations.
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