Chamarajanagar will observe a voluntary bandh on July 15, as several organisations unite to demand ₹25 lakh compensation and a government job for the families of those who lost their lives in the May 2021 Oxygen Tragedy at the district hospital.
The decision was made during a meeting held at the Tourist Bungalow, attended by multiple civil society groups. C.M. Krishnamurthy, leader of the Progressive Organisations Federation, criticized the government’s inaction, calling it “carapace-like” in shielding those responsible.
Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) State Secretary Abrar Ahmed announced that their party convention, which opposed amendments to the Waqf Act, would also rally support for the oxygen tragedy victims’ cause. Several Masjid leaders and the District Federation of Muslims have pledged their backing for the bandh.
Activist Nija Dhwani Govindraju urged the organisers to seek support from local merchants, bus and auto drivers, lorry owners, and street vendors to strengthen the impact of the bandh.
Among those present were District Sugarcane Growers Association President Halina Nagaraju, PUCL President Punajanur Doreswamy, Councillor Mohammed Amiq, leaders Arakalavadi Nagendra, Nammane Prashanth, Suresh Vajpayee, and journalists including A. D’Silva and Doddinduvadi Siddaraju. Oxygen tragedy survivors Savitha and Nagarathna also shared their grief.
Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Nag has promised to arrange a meeting with District In-charge Minister K. Venkatesh, who is scheduled to visit on July 3. However, the organisers remain firm on proceeding with the bandh to draw the government’s attention.