Bengaluru: Pro-Kannada groups in Karnataka, led by activist Vatal Nagaraj have decided to go continue with their plan to hold a state-wide bandh on December 5 against the setting up of the Maratha Development Corporation (MDC). The decision comes despite the warning issued by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa’s just a few days ago.
Questioning who advised the Chief Minister regarding the establishment of the MDC, Nagaraj said that they will go ahead with their plan if the government does not drop the setting up of the body by November 30.
Nagaraj added that Kannada activists will lay siege to KSRTC bus stands and prevent buses from moving on the day, DH reported.
Till Friday’s meeting, organisations such as the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike had not yet made their decision regarding the issue. During the meeting, however, they came on board the plan.
While cab and auto drivers organisations, street vendors and hotels have also decided to support the bandh, it is unclear if they will stop operations on December 5.
It can be recalled that the state government has been receiving a lot of backlash from the Opposition Congress and various pro-Kannada organisations ever since it announced that it would be setting up a development board for the Maratha community in the state. While Kannada activists have accused of making an anti-Kannada move and hurting the sentiments of Kannadigas all over the state, Chief Minister BSY clarified that the intention was for the development of the Maratha community and not the Marathi language.
The Congress, on the other hand, has accused the BJP-led state government taking the decision to woo the Maratha community in view of the upcoming by-polls in the Basavakalyan Assembly constituency in Belagavi.
