A statewide bandh has been called by various pro-Kannada organisations in Karnataka on March 22, 2025, in response to the alleged assault on a KSRTC bus conductor in Belagavi last month for not speaking Marathi. The bandh, which began at 6 AM and is scheduled to continue till 6 PM, has led to elaborate security arrangements across Karnataka to prevent any untoward incidents and maintain law and order.

Reason Behind the Karnataka Bandh

The Karnataka Bandh was triggered by an incident in Belagavi, where a state-run bus conductor was allegedly assaulted by Marathi-speaking youth for not conversing in Marathi. This incident, which occurred while the bus was plying from Belagavi to Balekundri, has reignited linguistic tensions between Karnataka and Maharashtra. The decades-old border and language dispute has resurfaced, prompting Kannada activists to demand stricter measures to safeguard the interests of Kannadigas.

Government's Response and Security Arrangements

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has appealed for peace and urged the public to refrain from participating in the bandh. "We will protect the interests of the state. Everyone should maintain peace and follow the law. However, I feel there is no need for a bandh," he said. Despite his remarks, pro-Kannada groups under the banner of Kannada Okkuta have gone ahead with the bandh, leading to a massive deployment of police personnel and home guards. Senior officers have been stationed across districts to oversee the situation and ensure that protests do not escalate.

Impact on Transport and Essential Services

• BMTC and KSRTC Services: While the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) initially expressed support for the bandh, they have kept buses operational with limited services. However, the movement of buses from Maharashtra to Karnataka has been restricted, and operations may be suspended if the situation worsens.

• Auto-Rickshaw and Cab Services: Third-party transport vendors such as Ola and Uber and a few auto-rickshaw unions have extended their support to the bandh, leading to disrupted transport services in major cities, including Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Hubballi-Dharwad.

• Metro and Railway Services: Despite the bandh, metro and railway services have continued without any disruption. Passengers arriving at bus terminals and metro stations are being advised to be cautious.

Educational Institutions and Public Offices

• Schools and Colleges: Although several private schools have extended moral support to the bandh, no official holiday has been declared for schools and colleges, and examinations for SSLC (Class 10) students are underway in many districts, including Bengaluru.

• Government Offices: Government offices, hospitals, and pharmacies remain operational despite the bandh.

Protests and Demonstrations Across Karnataka

• Bengaluru: A large number of protestors gathered in front of Town Hall and staged demonstrations near Mysore Bank Circle. Police detained several activists and shifted them to Freedom Park to prevent further escalation. Some activists also attempted to block buses at the BMTC and KSRTC bus stands in Majestic.

• Mysuru: Pro-Kannada activists staged a sit-in protest at the suburban bus stand in Mysuru, blocking buses bound for Bengaluru and other parts of the state. Several protestors were taken into preventive custody after attempting to stop KSRTC buses.

• Chikkamagaluru and Tumakuru: Protestors made efforts to shut down shops and business establishments, while in Tumakuru, pro-Kannada activists gathered to stage protests and raise slogans.

Belagavi: Epicentre of the Linguistic Row

Belagavi, which remains at the centre of the dispute, witnessed sporadic protests, with demonstrators halting the screening of a Marathi movie 'Follower' at the INOX theatre in the Camp area. Activists alleged that the movie contained content favouring Maharashtra in the ongoing border dispute.

Historical Context of Karnataka-Maharashtra Dispute

The Belagavi dispute traces its roots back to 1957, following the reorganisation of states on linguistic lines. Maharashtra has long claimed Belagavi, citing a sizable Marathi-speaking population and over 800 border villages that predominantly speak Marathi. Karnataka, however, maintains that the demarcation based on the States Reorganisation Act and the Mahajan Commission Report of 1967 is final. Karnataka has asserted its stance by building the 'Suvarna Vidhana Soudha' in Belagavi, modelled after the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.

Pro-Kannada Groups and Their Stand on the Bandh

The statewide bandh has been spearheaded by Kannada Okkuta, an umbrella organisation representing various pro-Kannada groups. Prominent factions of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), led by TA Narayana Gowda and Praveen Shetty, have refrained from participating in the bandh, citing concerns over potential violence and the ongoing examinations for SSLC students.

Current Situation and Ground Reports

• Gadag and Hubballi-Dharwad: Normalcy prevails with essential services functioning smoothly. However, public transport has been affected in several parts of the state.

• Belagavi and Border Areas: Movement of buses between Maharashtra and Karnataka remains restricted, and heightened security measures have been put in place.

Conclusion

The Karnataka Bandh has drawn mixed responses from various sections of society. While Kannada activists remain steadfast in their demand for action against those responsible for the Belagavi incident, the government is striving to ensure that the bandh does not escalate into violence. Security personnel remain on high alert to prevent any law and order violations, and the situation across Karnataka is being closely monitored.

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