Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS/SP)
Bengaluru, Sep 26: Samyukta Kissan Morcha has given a nation-wide call for Bharat Bandh on Monday September 27 in protest against the controversial farm laws, price rise of essential commodities, and other issues. Farmers’ associations in Karnataka and various other organizations have expressed their solidarity to the bandh.
In addition to state farmers’ organizations, labour unions, pro-Kannada organization, student unions, traders’ associations, autorickshaw drivers’ association and taxi drivers' association will also take part in the protest.
Private educational institutions of the state have expressed moral support to the bandh. It is learnt that hotels, transport, lorry association etc have decided to extend moral support to the call because of the current crisis. Hotel Owners Association, Lorry Owners Association, KSRTC and BMTC employees Association, taxi owners association and other organizations have decided to extend only moral support, but will not suspend services.
In coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, private bus owners’ associations have not expressed support to the bandh. It is expected that buses in the twin districts will ply as usual.
Sugarcane Growers Association, Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha and other organizations have supported the call. The organizations have decided to extend moral support to the call and provide services normally because of the losses they are suffering from.
Hotel Owners Association president, P C Rao, was quoted in the media saying that the hotel industry is in doldrums and that their industry is totally dependent on farm products. He said that hotel services will not be affected.
Lorry Owners Association state president B Chennareddy has said that no one has sought his association's support so far and that lorries will function as usual if there is provision for loading and unloading. R Chandrashekhar, president of KSRTC Employees Union said that all the four state transport corporations will provide services as before. He said that services will be suspended only if the situation becomes tough.
Akhanda Karnataka Raita Sangha Haveri district president, Prakash Barki, said in a press conference that on September 27, national highway will be blocked near the highway toll plaza in Bankapur town in support of the bandh call.