Kannada Groups Demand Karnataka Bandh on March 22 Following RTC Bus Staff Assaults
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Synopsis
In response to recent assaults on RTC bus staff in Maharashtra and Belagavi for not speaking Marathi, Kannada organizations have declared a Karnataka bandh for March 22. Prominent leaders urge support across various sectors, highlighting ongoing tensions in border areas.
Key Takeaways
- Karnataka bandh announced for March 22.
- Over 1,000 organizations pledged support.
- Protests planned against attacks on RTC staff.
- Call for a ban on the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES).
- Local leaders criticized for failing to defend Kannada interests.
Bengaluru, Feb 28 (NationPress) In response to the recent assaults on RTC bus personnel in Maharashtra and Belagavi due to their refusal to communicate in Marathi, several Kannada organizations have declared a Karnataka bandh scheduled for March 22.
The announcement was made by Vatal Nagaraj, the Chairman of Kannada Okkuta (Federation of Kannada Organizations), following a meeting with various pro-Kannada groups in Bengaluru.
He emphasized, “I urge Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to lend his full support to the Karnataka bandh on March 22. This transcends politics. I also appeal to the Kannada film industry, government employees, schools, and cab services to cease operations in support of the bandh.”
Nagaraj noted that over 1,000 organizations have already pledged their backing, with an additional 2,000 expected to join.
He expressed concern about the ongoing targeting of Kannada speakers in Belagavi.
“Does Belagavi belong to Karnataka or Maharashtra? This question must be resolved. Previous administrations have failed to address the aggressive behavior of certain Marathi-speaking groups, including MES and Shiv Sena,” he remarked.
He criticized local politicians, accusing leaders from BJP, Congress, and JD-S of representing Marathi interests.
Nagaraj announced that the Federation of Kannada Organizations would conduct a large-scale protest on March 22 to assert the dignity of the Kannada populace.
“We have also called for a ban on the MES,” he added.
Renowned Kannada activist S. R. Govindu mentioned that a major silent march is planned on March 3, starting from Town Hall to Freedom Park, to protest against the actions of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) and the assaults on Karnataka bus staff in Maharashtra.
Moreover, Kannada organizations have scheduled a bandh at Attibele Toll on March 11 and at Hoskote Toll on March 16, both located near the Karnataka border.
A Belagavi Chalo protest is set for March 7, and activists aim to besiege Raj Bhavan on March 3 after the silent march.
However, some major Kannada organizations, including the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (T.A. Narayana Gowda and Praveen Kumar Shetty factions), have stated they will not support the Karnataka bandh.
Despite this, Nagaraj remains confident that the bandh will proceed, regardless of the participation of other groups.
Last Saturday, tensions escalated in the border district of Belagavi after an RTC bus conductor was attacked for requesting passengers to speak in Kannada. RTC bus services between Karnataka and Maharashtra were suspended for over two days, leading to significant inconvenience for travelers in both states. The situation was further complicated by the filing of a POCSO case against the RTC conductor, who was assaulted for allegedly not communicating in Marathi.
Amidst the rising tensions in the Karnataka-Maharashtra border regions following the incident, the family of the minor girl involved in the case later decided to withdraw the POCSO case. The girl’s mother also urged the residents of Karnataka and Maharashtra to refrain from escalating the issue.
Authorities have since worked to restore normalcy in the border areas but remain vigilant regarding potential developments.
