BENGALURU: Several transport associations have extended their support to the ‘Karnataka bandh’ on Saturday. The Ola and Uber taxi cab aggregators have extended full support to the bandh.
However, officials said that BMTC buses and Bengaluru Metro services will operate as usual, while KSRTC bus services may face disruptions in some parts of the state.
The bandh has been called regarding issues of land, water and language. “We fully support the bandh”, said Tanveer Pasha, president of the Ola and Uber Drivers’ Association. The school vehicle drivers’ union has also announced moral support for the bandh.
“Exams are currently going on; students have been studying throughout the year. Considering this, we have decided to extend only moral support to the bandh”, said Ravi Kumar, president of the Karnataka State Private School Vehicle Drivers’ Union.
The APMC market in Dasanapura will remain closed in support of the Karnataka bandh. Over 300 vegetable stalls will remain shut. The market association has announced its support for the bandh.
Autorickshaw organizations have extended mixed support to the Karnataka bandh on Saturday. Some auto organizations have announced moral support, citing ongoing exams as the reason. Others have decided to operate as usual, considering the inconvenience it may cause to students appearing for exams.
Peace Auto and Taxi Cab Association president Raghu said that they have decided to operate as usual, considering the inconvenience it may cause to students appearing for exams.
Adarsha Rickshaw Drivers Union (ARDU) president Manjunath said, “Whenever there’s an issue related to our state and language, auto drivers have always stood in support. All drivers have already condemned the Belagavi incident. We fully support the Karnataka bandh on Saturday. Our union has 16,000 auto drivers, and we’ve already informed them to support the bandh. Whenever someone fights for Kannada, our drivers support them”.
Additionally, the police have taken precautions to ensure that no one is forced to participate in the bandh, as this would be illegal.
Police Commissioner B Dayananda said that the Karnataka bandh called by Kannada organisations tomorrow. “Police have been warned about this. It is illegal to force anyone to bandh. Legal action will be taken if they do so. Police will be deployed everywhere. If there is any problem or damage to property, the person who called for the bandh will be held responsible”, he said.
Kannada groups have not received support in the Dakshina Kannada district, and therefore, the districts will function normally tomorrow. Private transport, including buses, will be available as usual.
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