Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 21: Pro-Kannada organisations have called for a bandh on Saturday. March 22 in protest against the attack on Karnataka State Regional Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus drivers in Maharashtra for not speaking Marathi.

Kannada Okkuta chairman Vatal Nagaraj announced the bandh and urged Kannada activists not to be influenced by misinformation.

Concerns have been raised over the impact on the ongoing Class 10 board exams, which began on Thursday. Education minister Madhu Bangarappa stated that any decision on exam cancellations would require discussions with home minister G Parameshwara and transport minister Ramalinga Reddy.

Bengaluru police commissioner B Dayanand warned that any damage to public property or disruption would be the responsibility of the protest organisers. He also reminded them of the Supreme Court's directives on such matters.

Deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar appealed to protesters to remain peaceful and follow the law.

Vatal Nagaraj called on all drivers, including the chief minister's driver, to refrain from operating vehicles in support of the bandh. However, some Kannada organisations, including Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, have not backed the protest.

Cab aggregators Ola and Uber, the Bengaluru Airport Taxi Association, several auto unions, drivers' unions, Karmika Parishat, and theatre owners have pledged support for the bandh. School buses and vans will be allowed to operate.

Vatal Nagaraj claimed that over 2,000 organisations have extended their support, adding that Kannada-speaking people in Belagavi have faced continuous targeting.