Bengaluru: Pro-Kannada organizations have called for a 12-hour statewide bandh in Karnataka today, protesting the alleged assault of a bus conductor in Belagavi last month for not speaking Marathi. To maintain order, security has been heightened across the state, with home guards and city armed reserve units deployed. The shutdown is in effect from 6 AM to 6 PM.
Public transport may face disruptions as several auto-rickshaw, cab, and private driver unions have pledged support for the bandh. However, state-run bus services, including Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), will remain operational.
While hotels, malls, bars, and restaurants have expressed “moral support” for the protest, essential services—including hospitals, pharmacies, ambulances, metro services, and petrol stations—will continue functioning as usual.
Schools and colleges across Karnataka remain open, but students, particularly those appearing for Class 10 exams, may face commuting challenges due to possible transport disruptions.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has stated that the state government does not endorse the bandh and urged people to maintain peace. “We are committed to protecting Karnataka’s interests, but I believe a shutdown is unnecessary,” he said.
Notably, some factions of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, led by T.A. Narayana Gowda and Praveen Shetty, have chosen not to participate in the protest.
Background: Belagavi Attack and Rising Tensions
The unrest stems from an incident last month where a KSRTC bus conductor in Belagavi was allegedly assaulted for not responding in Marathi. According to his complaint, a female passenger had asked for a ticket in Marathi, and when he requested her to speak in Kannada, she and her companion reportedly attacked him. Later, a larger group intercepted the bus and physically assaulted him.
Following the incident, four individuals were arrested. However, the conductor was also booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act after the girl accused him of inappropriate behavior.
The attack led to retaliatory violence. A Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus driver in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district was assaulted, and an ultra-luxury KSRTC bus was vandalized in Maharashtra with slogans such as “Jai Maharashtra” and “Marathi” scrawled on it.
Amid rising tensions, Maharashtra temporarily suspended MSRTC bus services to Karnataka, while Karnataka scaled back its bus operations to Maharashtra.
