BENGALURU: The dusk-to-dawn Karnataka Bandh, called by Kannada Okkoota, is not likely to have much impact on normal life, as various pro-Kannada organisations are against the bandh and have decided not to take part in the protest.
Kannada Okkoota Head Vatal Nagaraj has called for the bandh to pressurise the government on various issues, including coming out with a permanent solution for the water woes of farmers, action against MES activists in Belagavi, waiving off agricultural loans, Prime Minister’s intervention to resolve the Kalasa-Banduri and Mahadayi issues and others. It has planned a rally from Town Hall to Vidhana Soudha at 10 am on Monday.
However, many outfits are against the bandh. “What is the need for a bandh now? We can hold protests and rallies to pressurise the government. It is not fair to call for a bandh every time and even people are wondering why a bandh call was given now? Ultimately, it’s the common man who suffers,” a leader of a pro-Kannada outfit said on condition of anonymity.
No trade or professional unions are taking part in the bandh. Employees’ unions of various government departments have decided to work as usual. While private cab aggregators have decided to run their business as usual, even BMTC and KSRTC unions have decided not to take part in the bandh, but have extended only moral support. Namma Metro services will also run normally. “If there is a problem, causing safety and security issues to commuters and the BMRCL property, we may have to stop the services,” said a BMRCL official.
Till late on Sunday night, the Education Department had not issued any communication on declaring a holiday, and schools and colleges will remain open.
The police have geared up to tackle the situation and have reportedly issued notices to leaders of pro-Kannada organisations to not try to affect normal life. Meanwhile, Vatal Nagaraj held a meeting with leaders of various organisations on Sunday night and discussed ways to make the bandh successful.
Exams postponed
Because of the bandh call, the Bangalore University has postponed the PG 4th Semester first paper exam scheduled for Monday. VTU too has postponed the exams to be held on Monday.
