Statewide bandh on March 22 in Karnataka to protest 'violence' by pro-Marathi groups

Bengaluru: Pro-Kannada organisations have called for a Karnataka bandh on March 22 to protest the recent assault on a bus crew and the "brazen violence" by pro-Marathi activists. 

The shutdown will be observed from 6 am to 6 pm, with Road Transport Corporation (RTC) buses staying off the roads, said Vatal Nagaraj, veteran Kannada activist and one of the organisers. 

According to the former MLA, 2,000 pro-Kannada outfits are supporting the shutdown, which aims to "uphold Kannadiga pride". 

"Pro-Marathi activists have gone on a rampage in Belagavi. They have installed a statue of Sambhaji and are terrorising Kannada-speaking people. Maharashtra has opposed the Mahajan Commission report in the Supreme Court, as well as the Almatti Dam elevation project. Kannadigas will not stay silent," he told DH. 

Nagaraj asserted that RTC employees' unions had extended support and would not operate buses on the day of the bandh. 

The organisers plan to lead a procession from Town Hall to Freedom Park between 10 am and 11 am on March 22. Prior to that, a public demonstration will be held in Mysuru, while open street demonstrations have been planned in Bengaluru on March 20-21, he added. 

When asked about the court-imposed ban on protests outside Freedom Park, Nagaraj responded: "We will go ahead with the bandh. The police are free to do what they want."