Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Dec 26: The bandh call given by Kannada Okkuta on December 31 urging banning of MES (Maharashtra Ekikarana Samiti) in Karnataka has been met with wide opposition from the public as well as institutions. Many opine that the bandh is unnecessary in the present circumstances.

The call for bandh comes in the wake of the recent burning of Kannada flag in Maharashtra, followed by the desecration of the statues of Shivaji and Sangolli Rayanna in Bengaluru and Belagavi respectively.

As the bandh may affect normal life as well as business especially on New Year's Eve, it is opposed by several institutions and individuals including Karnataka state film chamber of commerce, actors Shivarajkumar, Yash and producer Gurudesh Pandy.

In addition, former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, minister Dr Ashwathnarayana, union minister Prahlad Joshi and some pro-Kannada organisations have also opined that the bandh is not required.

Speaking on the subject, at Mysuru, on Saturday, actor Shivarajkumar said, "We love Kannada language. However, we are committed to the decision of the film chamber of commerce. On December 31 three new Kannada movies are set for release also. Kannadigas should not create problems for Kannada cinema. This issue needs to be dealt with intelligence."

Activist Vatal Nagaraj is hell bent on holding the bandh on December 31. He said that there is no question of advancing or postponing the same. He even held a protest on Saturday in front of the Karnataka film chamber of commerce office, which requested him to postpone the bandh.