Pro-Kannada organisations to observe ‘Karnataka bandh’ today

Despite Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa’s appeal, several pro-Kannada organisations on Saturday will observe Karnataka bandh against the state government’s decision to construct Maratha Development Corporation (MDC) in Karnataka, Times Now reported. 

Yediyurappa had announced the formation of the MDA last month, reserving Rs 50 crore for the project, a move seen as an attempt to woo Marathas who are dominant in Bidar district’s Basava Kalyan, where Assembly bypoll is due.

Also read: Karnataka minister meets UP CM Adityanath on anti-cow slaughter legislation

Vatal Nagaraj, chief of Kannada Okkuta, has called for the bandh saying that it will be totally successful as most Kannada groups want the project to stop, Times Now reported.

Meanwhile, the chief minister has urged the activists to call off the bandh and said that his government ensures full support for the development of Kannada people. He further stressed that a bandh will only cause inconvenience to the public.

“More than one hundred history-sheeters have been detained ahead of Karnataka bandh,” Bengaluru DCP told ANI.

As some of the auto-rickshaw unions have also supported the bandh, auto facilities are most likely to remain shut. Apart from this, public transport, restaurants malls and commercial establishments in Karnataka are also expected to be closed.

Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai has said that if businesses will be affected, strict action will be taken against the protest.