Pro-Kannada organisations have called for a state-wide bandh on Monday, to highlight a number of issues plaguing the state of Karnataka, including the recurring water crisis.
Kannada Okkoota, an umbrella organisation of pro-Kannada groups led by Vatal Nagaraj has called for a dawn-to-dusk bandh on Monday.
Vatal told media persons that one of their most pressing demands is to resolve the Mahadayi water dispute between Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra.
He said: "We have been fighting for two years on the issue of Mahadayi and Kalasa Banduri. Tamil Nadu has been fighting against us on the Mekedatu issue as well. They want to protest against us on all issues, be it Cauvery, Mekedatu. They should not be opportunistic. If they protest, our protest will be much more stronger than theirs."
Vatal has demanded the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Mahadayi dispute to arrive at a permanent solution to the water crisis in the state.
From demanding farmer loan waivers to asking Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) activists to leave the state, Vatal's organisation is also protesting against the Kerala government, claiming that the state has "thrown" out Kannada textbooks from schools in Kasargod and is teaching Malayalam to the students.
What services likely to hit
While Vatal has called for like-minded organisations to support the cause and cooperate with the bandh, it appears that very limited services will be hit, at least in Bengaluru.
The metro services will operate in its normal schedule, Vasanth Rao, BMRCL PRO said.
"As far as everything is peaceful, the metro services are not expected to be affected. We will function as usual," the PRO said.
At the time of publishing, BMTC officials said that the normal schedule will be followed.
"A decision will be taken after assessing the situation tomorrow. As of now, we have decided to play," an official said.
Bangalore Tourist Taxi Owners Association President K Radhakrishna Holla said that although the association does support the bandh, they have taken a call not to disrupt services.
“It is indeed a very good call for the state bandh. We are morally supporting the strike, but as public servants, transport operators must provide car facilities to public. So, we are not stopping the vehicle operation on Monday," Radhakrishna said.
He added that although the members were in support of the bandh, they couldn't afford to miss out on the service, owing to competition in the market.
According to Shankar, Urban Deputy Commissioner, schools in Bengaluru will remain open.
"We have not declared holiday to schools. They will function as usual," the DC said. ( However, some private schools have already declared holiday, so parents should check with schools in the morning if they would be functioning.)
The New Indian Express reported on Sunday that hoteliers in the city have decided not to support the bandh.
Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels’ Association president Chandrashekhar Hebbar told the newspaper that they have decided not to participate in the bandh. A decision on this regard was taken at a meeting held on Saturday, the report said.
However, the Kannada Okootta is trying their best to ensure that commercial establishments are made aware of the bandh and they stay shut on Monday.