Bengaluru: For the first time in recent years, the city is witnessing huge hoardings in support of a Bandh call. The hoardings are requesting the city residents to support the dawn-to-dusk bandh called by more than 1,000 organisations to put forth various demands by the people of North Karnataka.
These hoardings prominently display pictures of various pro-Kannada leaders.
To put pressure on the state and central governments to implement a host of long-pending irrigation and developmental projects of North Karnataka and Hyderabad Karnataka region this September 26, a state- wide bandh call has been issued.
With KSRTC/ BMTC labor unions, cab drivers and owners’ associations, auto drivers and owners’ associations already announcing their allegiance to the bandh, the city is all set to witness another successful bandh on Saturday.
According to Mr. Vatal Nagaraj, ex MLA and pro-Kannada leader, the Karnataka Film Chamber and various other organizations have already extended their support to the bandh.
“More than 1,000 organisations have already extended their support to the bandh call. Cabs, autos, trucks, cinema industry and representatives of other business have also assured that they will close down their business in support of the bandh call,” he said.
Third in a month
The September 26 bandh will be the third bandh of the month. On September 2, the city was shut down in support of a national strike called by 10 labor unions. Another bandh was called on Saturday, September 5. But this bandh call was a failure with only a handful of organisations extending their support. “The September 26 bandh will be historic,” predicted Mr. Vatal Nagaraj. “This bandh will be observed across the state to prove that the entire state is with the people of North Karnataka region.”
Mr. Radhakrishna Holla, general secretary, BTTOA, informed that more than 80,000 cabs will join the bandh.
“Since the issue is related to irrigation and development, we want to convey the message that we are with the people. So, we have decided to join the bandh. This means on September 26 there will not be any cabs,” he informed.
