On March 22, 2025, Karnataka saw a 12-hour statewide bandh called by pro-Kannada groups, stirring both support and resistance across the region. The protest emerged in response to an alleged assault on a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus conductor in Belagavi, who was targeted for not speaking Marathi.
Ravi Shetty Byndoor, the Chairman of the Labour Council and a prominent pro-Kannada activist, articulated the frustrations of the protestors. "Government is using the Police to suppress us. Vatal Nagaraj has called for a bandh. For that, many people have voluntarily come forward to go on a bandh. We are here to convince the bus drivers and operators. But they are stopping us. The government is sending us notice after notice. What are we, goons? We will start the rally at 11 am. We will take out the rally from Town Hall to Freedom Park," he stated, reflecting the sentiments that fueled the protest.
With firm intentions, the bandh began at 6 am and witnessed a heavy police presence, particularly in Kalaburagi and other districts, as authorities braced for potential disruptions. The state government did not lend official support to the bandh, creating a divide between the protestors and law enforcement.
Despite the bandh's intentions, educational institutions in Bengaluru remained open. Deputy Commissioner Jagadeesha G confirmed that schools and colleges would not observe a holiday. This decision means that the ongoing exams for SSLC (Class 10) students and Class 12 students of CBSE and ISC boards will continue without interruptions, although transportation issues are anticipated.
Public transport services, including KSRTC and BMTC, continued to function. However, certain auto-rickshaw, cab, and private driver unions expressed their solidarity with the bandh, signaling an intricate dynamic within the transportation sector. Meanwhile, representatives from the hotel and film industries offered moral support, but their services largely operated normally, indicating a potential disconnect between various interest groups.
The demands of the bandh organizers included a ban on pro-Marathi groups and the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) within Karnataka, which they accuse of inciting violence and jeopardizing communal harmony. They also sought measures to protect the rights and dignity of Kannada-speaking individuals, particularly in the contentious border areas such as Belagavi.
Additionally, they are advocating for the withdrawal of the Bengaluru Metro fare hike and opposing the Greater Bengaluru Authority Bill, a legislative measure that has been contentious within the community. The cab drivers and autorickshaw associations are also protesting, calling for a ban on two-wheeler taxi services, which they argue threaten their livelihoods.
In stark contrast to the anticipated chaos, reports from Hubbali-Dharwad indicated that many residents went about their daily routines with shops open and traffic flowing as usual. This suggests that while the bandh aimed to be a significant moment of dissent, its actual impact varied across different parts of the state.
In the heart of Bengaluru, the atmosphere remained tensely cautious. Although the police have actively warned against forced participation in the bandh, the air held an undercurrent of tension as those in support of the bandh prepared for the gathering-related activities.
The protests in Karnataka highlight enduring tensions surrounding language and regional identity, issues that have shaped the political landscape for decades. As the day unfolds, the longer-term implications of this bandh, both regarding state politics and the socio-cultural fabric of Karnataka, remain to be seen.
Ultimately, the Karnataka bandh symbolizes a clash of identities amidst an ever-present backdrop of regional pride and language rights—issues that resonate far beyond the immediate actions of the day.
