Karnataka bandh today: Why is it happening, what's open, what's closed? Details inside
NEWS
Karnataka Bandh today: The 12-hour bandh, from 6 am to 6 pm, has been organized by Kannada Okkoota, a coalition of various pro-Kannada groups.
Karnataka Bandh today: Several pro-Kannada groups have called a shutdown in Karnataka on Saturday, March 22, for a period of 12 hours from 6 am to 6 pm, protesting the alleged assault on a bus conductor in Belagavi.
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) conductor was allegedly attacked for not speaking Marathi, fanning the flames of an existing dispute over linguistic communities in the region.
Karnataka's deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday announced that the Siddaramaiah-led state government would not support the bandh.
Also Read: DK Shivakumar opposes Karnataka bandh on March 22, cites impact on SSLC students' exams
He said, "We will make them (the organisations) understand that it is not the right course of action, as it will impact students whose exams have already begun."
Additional security forces are expected to be deployed in Belgavi, and other sensitive regions in the state. Commuters, business owners and students have been warned that the bandh could affect their usual routine.
Here is everything you need to know about the Karnataka Bandh:
What led to the Karnataka Bandh?
Last month, the KSRTC conductor of a bus plying from Belagavi to Balekundri was allegedly assaulted by individuals associated with pro-Marathi organisations for not speaking their language.
Following the incident, inter-state bus services between Maharashtra and Karnataka were suspended. The attack on the conductor sparked a debate on the long history of language disputes between the two states.