Pro-Kannada organisations called for a state-wide bandh on 12 June to protest a number of issues plaguing the state, including the recurring water crisis. The dawn-to-dusk bandh has been called by Kannada Okkoota, an umbrella organisation of pro-Kannada groups led by Vatal Nagara.
Monday will see a protest march from Town hall to Vidhana Soudha, over the Mahadayi water dispute.
We have been fighting for two years on the issue of Mahadayi and Kalasa Banduri. Tamil Nadu has been fighting against us on the Mekedatu issue as well. They want to protest against us on all issues, be it Cauvery, Mekedatu. They should not be opportunistic. If they protest, our protest will be much more stronger than theirs.Vatal Nagara, leader of the Kannada Okkoota
What Services Will Be Hit?
Despite Vatal’s call for support and cooperation regarding the bandh, very limited services will be hit in Bengaluru. Metro services will operate in its normal schedule, Vasanth Rao, BMRCL PRO told TNM.
BMTC officials said that the normal schedule will be followed. “A decision will be taken after assessing the situation tomorrow. As of now, we have decided to ply,” the PRO said.
Bangalore Tourist Taxi Owners Association President K Radhakrishna Holla said that despite support for the bandh, the association services won’t be disrupted. “It is indeed a very good call for the state bandh. We are morally supporting the strike, but as public servants, transport operators must provide car facilities to public. So, we are not stopping the vehicle operation on Monday,” he said.
He added that although the members were in support of the bandh, they couldn't afford to miss out on the service because of the competition in the market.
Urban Deputy Commissioner Shankar said that schools in Bengaluru will remain open. However, some private schools have already declared a holiday, TNM reported.
We have not declared holiday to schools. They will function as usual.
Banks and ATMs will also continue to function as normal, ANI reported.
On Sunday, The New Indian Express reported that hoteliers in the city have decided not to support the bandh.
However, the Kannada Okootta is trying their best to ensure that commercial establishments are made aware of the bandh and they stay shut on Monday.
Why Has The Bandh Been Called?
The protesters have been demanding a waiver of farm loans and have demanded action against Tamil Nadu over the Mekedatu project.
Karnataka and Goa expressed conflicting interests on the larger issue of sharing Mahadayi River water. The former had petitioned the tribunal seeking the release of 7.56 tmc ft water to Malprabha basin.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi must intervene in the Mahadayi dispute and arrive at a permanent solution to the water crisis in the state, the protesters said. The protesters also want the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) activists to leave Karnataka.
The organisation is also protesting against the Kerala government, claiming that the state has "thrown" out Kannada textbooks from schools in Kasargod and is teaching Malayalam to the students.
(With inputs from The News Minute)
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