Karnataka bandh on March 22: Why is Bengaluru closed on Saturday? 10 key things to know

Karnataka bandh: Pro-Kannada groups have called for a 12-hour statewide shutdown on March 22 to protest against the alleged assault on a KSRTC bus conductor in Belagavi, according to media reports.

Karnataka bandh timings

The shutdown, from 6 am to 6 pm, is organised by Kannada Okkoota.

What is the reason for the Karnataka bandh?

The shutdown was announced after a KSRTC bus conductor was allegedly attacked by pro-Marathi groups in Belagavi in February over not speaking in Marathi, adding to the linguistic tensions of the region.

Is Bengaluru closed on 22nd March?

Yes, Bengaluru will witness a 12-hour shutdown on Saturday, March 22. Public services may remain affected due to the bandh.

Impact on bus services

Bus services may remain unavailable across the state on March 22 due to the Karnataka bandh. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) employees have expressed solidarity to the call for a shutdown. However, KSRTC and BMTC have not given any official confirmation on the availability of bus services.

Educational institutions

There is no official confirmation whether schools and colleges will be shut. The bandh has raised concerns among students as it coincides with examinations.

Banks

Banks are typically closed on the fourth Saturday of every month. Since March 22 is the fourth Saturday, banks will remain closed nationwide. RBI has also designated March 22 as a bank holiday in Patna due to Bihar Diwas. However, there is no official confirmation on whether the banks will open or close on March 22 due to the Karnataka bandh.

Ola and Uber services

The Karnataka bandh has received support from Ola, Uber Owners and Drivers Association, and other auto-rickshaw unions. These unions have promised to support the shutdown, signalling an impact on their service, according to an Indian Express report.

Hotel and film industry

Both hotel and film industry representatives have promised support to the Karnataka bandh. However, they have not clarified the potential impact of the shutdown, the report added.

What are Karnataka bandh organisers demanding?

• The organisers have called for a ban on Marathi groups such as Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) in Karnataka.
• Measures to protect Kannada speaking population across the state especially in border areas such as Belagavi.
• They have opposed the division of Bengaluru into multiple administrative zones, raising concerns about the potential impact on Kannada culture.
  
  Maharashtra-Karnataka row
  
  Language tensions in Karnataka over Marathi have their roots in the long-standing border dispute with Maharashtra, particularly in the northern Belagavi region. The region has a sizable Marathi-speaking population.
  
  After Maharashtra's creation on May 1, 1960, the state has staked claim over 865 villages, including Belgaon (now Belgavi), Karwar and Nippani. Maharashtra wants these villages to merge with it while Karnataka has refused to part with its territory.

Reacting over Karnataka bandh call, deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar said, “It (the bandh) is not needed at this time. They (the organisations) should have spoken to the government about it. It will affect students. We (the government) have also planned to launch a month-long water conservation campaign along with the Cauvery aarti on March 22, which is World Water Day. We don't encourage a bandh. The courts also do not support a bandh, whether it is political or organised by any group,” Times of India reported.