Karnataka Bandh Today Live Updates: Streets remain deserted in Bengaluru; around 50 protestors detain in Mysuru

Karnataka is on high alert as pro-Kannada organizations have announced a 12-hour statewide bandh on March 22, following an alleged attack on a state-run bus conductor in Belagavi. Extensive security measures have been implemented, with police deploying home guards and the City Armed Reserve unit to ensure a peaceful bandh and minimize public inconvenience. Educational institutions will remain open. However, transport disruptions are expected to impact SSLC (class 10) students taking exams. Public transport services like KSRTC and BMTC will operate, but some auto-rickshaw, cab, and private driver unions support the bandh. Stay with TOI for more updates:

05:20 (IST) Mar 22

ISC exam on Karnataka bandh day worries class 12 students

Schools affiliated of the Council of Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) and their class 12 students are a worried lot as one of their ISC exam papers — home science — falls on Saturday, March 22, when a section of pro-Kannada organisations has called for a dawn-to-dusk Karnataka bandh. While there is no SSLC exam falling on Saturday, the ISC paper is scheduled for that afternoon. After getting to know about the exam, the council contacted schools in the state that offer the subject to assess the situation. The schools, in turn, reached out to parents of students appearing for the paper for feedback.

Extensive security measures have been implemented throughout Karnataka as pro-Kannada organisations announce a 12-hour statewide shutdown on March 22, following the alleged attack on a state-run bus conductor in Belagavi last month for not knowing Marathi.

Officials confirm that police across districts have positioned home guards alongside the City Armed Reserve unit as a preventive step to ensure peaceful observance of the bandh whilst minimising public inconvenience.

Senior police officials will maintain ground presence to supervise security arrangements and prevent any unfortunate incidents.
Bengaluru deputy commissioner Jagadeesha G has confirmed that educational institutions in the city will remain open on Saturday despite the called bandh by pro-Kannada groups.

However, with transport services likely to be disrupted, the bandh is expected to impact lakhs of SSLC (class 10) students appearing for their exams tomorrow.

Public transport services, including KSRTC and BMTC (Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation), will continue their operations.

Kannada Okkuta leader and activist Vatal Nagaraj announced on Wednesday that whilst broad support is expected for the statewide bandh, uncertainty remains regarding participation from certain organisations.

Karnataka deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar stated that the government would not support a bandh and would engage with pro-Kannada organisations to explain why their planned statewide shutdown on March 22 is not an appropriate solution.

We don't encourage a bandh. The courts also do not support a bandh, whether it is political or organised by any group. 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, said Karnataka deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar.

Trending