Bengaluru: Barely few days after normal life was thrown out of gear by the strike called by the workers of KSRTC and BMTC, various organisations are set to observe a state wide dawn-to-dusk bandh on Saturday, in protest against the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal rejecting the interim petition of the state.
With the Kannada Okkoota (Kannada Federation) calling for ‘Karnataka Bandh’ on from 6 am to 6 pm on Saturday, over 850 organisations have extended their support. It is likely that all commercial activities would be hit across the state, with various pro-farmers’ associations, pro-Kannada outfits, trade unions, auto drivers’ unions, taxi drivers associations and others joining hands to make the bandh successful.
President of Adarsha Auto & Taxi Drivers Union M. Manjunath told this newspaper that auto rickshaws will remain off the streets on Saturday, extending their full support for the cause.
However, the KSRTC & BMTC Workers’ Federation has not yet decided on supporting the bandh. The Federation’s Secretary V. Manjunath said, “We are yet to decide on participating in the bandh. But if there are any protests, we may join as per the situation.” Schools and colleges would also decide by Friday evening on declaring holiday on Saturday.
The chief of Kannada Okkoota, Vatal Nagaraj, said that around 877 organisations have come in support to observe the state wide bandh. “Despite protests for decades, the issue has not been resolved. So, we have decided to observe bandh on Saturday with the support of farmers and Kannada activists.”
The Okkoota has planned a massive congregation at the Town Hall on Saturday morning, in which thousands of activists are expected to take part.
