Karnataka bandh today against Maratha Development Authority

Bengaluru: The pro-Kannada organisations have called for a bandh from 6 am to 6 pm on Saturday, in protest against setting up of the Maratha Development Authority with a Rs 50 crore corpus fund.

However, the support for bandh is likely to get a mixed response. The organisations on Friday reiterated their resolve to go ahead with bandh, demanding that the government withdraw its decision.

Speaking to The Hans India, Vatal Nagaraj, president, Kannada Okkoota, said "There is no question of going back on the bandh as the State government went ahead and notified the Maratha Development Authority. If the government doesn't want a bandh, it should scrap the notification." Last month, the Chief Minister had announced the formation of the MDA and earmarked Rs 50 crore for the ''overall development of Maratha people''. The move to set up the MDA was seen as an attempt to woo Marathas who are dominant in Basavakalyan in Bidar district, bordering with Maharashtra. Assembly by-election is due in Basavakalyan following the death of the sitting Congress MLA B Narayan Rao due to coronavirus a few months ago.

Most of the transport unions including auto-rickshaw and taxi unions have decided to support the bandh. "The association has offered its full support to the cause and no autos and cabs under Ola and Uber will ply on roads across the State on Saturday. In 2010, we demanded that the State government set up a separate welfare board for drivers, but it did not show any interest. It is playing politics with public money. It is the right time to show our power. I request the public to plan accordingly," Tanveer Pasha, president, Ola, Taxiforsure and Uber Drivers and Owners Association told The Hans India.

However, it is reported that the hotel owners like Bruhat Bangalore Hotels' Association decided not to support the bandh. "We are not supporting the band called by Kannada sangha. Hotel industry is under essential service and also, we have already decided hotels will not support any bandh in future. Our industry suffered heavily due to Covid 19 and now just we are back to business. No more bundh. To save Kannada we give our moral support only," said president of Bruhat Bangalore Hotels Association, PC Rao.

The KSRTC, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Bengaluru Metro are likely to operate their services.

The Karnataka police promised to keep a tight vigil to maintain law and order in the State and also allow free movement of people. In view of the bandh call, the police have beefed up security across the state to prevent any untoward incident and forcible closure of shops and commercial establishments. The police department claims that in Bengaluru alone, about 14,000 policemen will be deployed.