With govt support, bandh likely to cripple normal life

The day-long Bharat Bandh called by an alliance of Opposition parties and trade unions on Monday against the rising prices of petroleum products and daily essentials is likely to affect normal life. With the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition supporting the cause, the bandh is expected to cause hardship to people.

Claiming the support from all quarters, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Dinesh Gundu Rao said, “We have called for a bandh on Monday from 6 am to 3 pm and we have the support from all the Left parties and other political parties besides trade unions. Pro-Kannada organisations, KSRTC and BMTC workers’ unions have also expressed support to our cause.”

Giving the bandh a political touch, the Congress will go all out to hit out against the Centre over the spiralling prices of fuel and other consumables every day. However, the state government has not made any statements in response to the bandh called by various political parties.

As the bandh call is increasingly taking a political hue, several associations and organisations have remained passive and revealed that they would wait and watch even though they have been sympathising with the issue.

The Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association has chosen to be neutral.

“We are not a political organisation even though we are severely hit by the fuel price hike like any other citizen. We have extended moral support and called for a meeting on September 21 to discuss the future course of action,” said G R Shanmugappa, president of South India Motor Transport Association.

The education department has also made it clear to school management associations that there will not be a holiday for schools and colleges.

However, D Shashi Kumar, general secretary, Associated Management of Private Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) told DH that they have left it to the discretion of individual school managements to declare a holiday.

“The fuel price hike has also affected us. We sympathise with the cause. But at the same time, we are not affiliated with any political party and hence have decided to stay away from the bandh.

"However, we have left to the individual management to decide on the holiday. In case of any holiday, we have advised the management to compensate for the loss of a working day by holding full-day classes on Saturday,” Shashi Kumar explained.

Monday scene

* Bandh called to protest against rising prices of fuel and daily essentials

* Bandh likely to affect normal life in the state since the ruling Cong-JD(S) coalition supporting the cause

* Lorry associations say they sympathise and provide moral support

* Education Department says no holiday has been declared

* Schools’ association says it will leave it to individual management to decide on a holiday

What may be affected?

BMTC, KSRTC operations, taxis, autorickshaws, Ola, Uber, airport taxi service, schools, colleges, commercial activities, cinema halls and multiplexes, shopping malls.

What will not be affected?

Hospitals, emergency services, milk supply, medical shops, Metro services