Bus conductor assault: Kannada outfits call bandh on March 22

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: 'Kannada Okkuta', an umbrella organisation for several pro-Kannada outfits on Friday called for a statewide bandh in Karnataka on March 22, condemning the alleged assault on a state-run bus conductor for not speaking Marathi in the border district of Belagavi recently. Kannada activist and 'Kannada Okkuta' leader Vattal Nagaraj urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and various associations to extend support to the bandh. "On March 22, from 6 am to 6 pm, there will be a bandh across Karnataka... those who will support the shutdown or not, we will see later.

This bandh is for this state, for Kannada, Kannadigas and Karnataka. This is for the pride of Kannada and Karnataka," Vatal Nagaraj said. Addressing reporters here after the Okkuta's meeting, he made an open call for all organisations and leaders to participate in the bandh. He also appealed to the CM and the government to support the bandh. In addition, Nagaraj requested Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy to suspend all state-run bus services on March 22. He also called on the hotel owners association and film industry to support the bandh for a day.

According to Nagaraj, several malls have already extended support. He has also appealed to government employees and labour unions, associations of farmers, lorry owners, taxis, private schools to extend support. As part of the agitation, the Kannada Okkuta plans to lay siege to Raj Bhavan from 11.30 am on March 3 demanding action to 'Save Belagavi'. On March 7, there will be a procession in Belagavi -- 'Belagavi Chalo'. He further said the group would demand implementation of the Mekedatu project across Cauvery river, and call for bandh in Attibele, bordering Tamil Nadu on March 11.