Karnataka Bandh: State braces for shutdown by pro-Kannada groups today; normal life likely to be hit

Various pro-Kannada organisations have called for a bandh on December 5, opposing the establishment of the Maratha Development Authority, which the Chief Minister had announced on November 14 and earmarked Rs 50 crore for the ‘overall development of Maratha people’.

These organisations on Friday reaffirmed their resolve to hold the bandh on Saturday (today) demanding that the government give up its decision to form the MDA.

The bandh has been called between 6 am and 6 pm and will witness a rally from KSR Bengaluru City railway station to Freedom Park. Although, government offices, hotels, bus services and metro services will remain open during the bandh.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Friday made a fervent appeal to pro-Kannada organisations not to go for Karnataka bandh on Saturday.

Commenting on the same, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said, “I appeal to everyone including Vatal Nagaraj, not to trouble people with Karnataka Bandh. It is not required."

“I have already given prominence to Kannada and I am ready to do whatever is required to be done to make Kannada prominent,” the Chief Minister said.

What is Open and What is Closed |

Meanwhile, security has been heightened across the state to ward off any untoward incident and prevent forcible closure of shops and commercial establishments.

Public transport, including bus and metro, is expected to run as usual unless the situation gets worse and the authorities decide to call it off.

The hotel owners and travel operators have said they will not be closing their businesses for the day. However, most other transport unions --- including autorickshaw and taxi unions --- have decided to support the bandh. Petrol pumps will also remain open as it is an essential commodity.

Emergency services like hospitals, ambulance service, medical shops, milk booths will remain open.

Over 100 history-sheeters detained ahead of bandh

More than a hundred history-sheeters were detained in the wake of a Karnataka bandh called by pro-Kannada organisations on Saturday, according to the DCP (West), Bengaluru.