A KSRTC bus stop in Bangalore. | Stock Photo | Photo credit: PTI
Key points
- The government’s decision to establish a Maratha corporation in Karnataka has infuriated the Kannada teams
- Activists demand that the government withdraw the order
- The government warned of strict actions against the forced closure of businesses
Bangalore: Pro-Kannada teams are ready to observe the Karnataka bandh today, despite the strict warning from Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa against the forced shutdown of business activities in the state. Meanwhile, the teams claim that the majority of Kannada groups are in favor of bandh and will see its application with success.
Pro-Kannada groups led by Kannada Okkuta chief Vatal Nagaraj have called for a bandh against the state government’s decision to form the Maratha Development Corporation in Karnataka.
In announcing the bandh on Saturday, Nagaraj stated that it will be total and successful as most of the Kannada groups are fighting together. However, the government is trying to thwart the closure of establishments using the police force, he added.
What companies / services will observe the bandh?
As some of the major taxi and rickshaw drivers unions have announced their support for the bandh, taxi and taxi facilities are likely to remain closed today.
Public transport, including bus and metro, is expected to function as usual unless the situation worsens and the authorities decide to suspend it.
Restaurant and hotel owners have only announced “moral support” for the bandh and are likely to keep their businesses running.
But as Vatal Nagaraj claims, Karnataka shopping malls and establishments are expected to be closed today.
Why is the bandh observed?
The Karnataka government’s decision to allocate Rs 50 crore for the formation of a Maratha Development Corporation in the state has angered pro-Kannada groups.
Kannada activists have always had a fight with Marathas in the Belagavi border district and have accused the Karnataka CM of indulging in the politics of appeasement. They demand the state government to withdraw the order for the creation of the Maratha corporation.
Why is the government defending the Maratha Corporation?
Defending the government’s decision, Senior Deputy Minister CN Ashwathnarayan said that the Maratha Development Corporation will be established for the benefit of the Marathi people in the state, not the Marathi speakers.
“Marathas have been in the state for centuries. Now justice has been served. The Maratha Development Corporation will not do any injustice to Kannadigas. It is better if the governments of other states take similar steps to achieve social equality. We are all working for be a role model. ” added.
When asked if the Karnataka government is ready to form Tamil and Telugu development authorities, Ashwathnarayan said: “It is not bad that they have a corporation. Whoever has lived in the state for 10 years, they are all Kannadigas. They cannot be called or treated as second-class citizens. The BJP government is embracing the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. “
What has the government said about bandh?
CM BS Yediyurappa called on the activists to cancel the bandh and secured all support for the development of Kannada. Furthermore, he stressed that a bandh will only cause annoyance to the public.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Basavaraj Bommai warned of strict action against the forced shutdown of business activities in the state. He said there are ways to protest, but disrupting normalcy is not one of them.
