Karnataka Bandh Tomorrow: Holiday In Schools, Colleges On March 22 In Bangalore, Govt Against Shutdown – News18

Last Updated:March 21, 2025, 11:12 IST

Karnataka Bandh Tomorrow: Several educational institutes in Bengaluru have declared a holiday on March 22 as a precaution.

Karnataka Bandh On March 22nd: Kannada Okkuta, an umbrella organisation representing various pro-Kannada groups, has called for the Bandh (statewide shutdown) on Saturday, March 22 to protest the alleged assault on a state-run bus conductor in the border district of Belagavi last month for not knowing Marathi.

The shutdown is expected to disrupt public transport, educational institutions, and businesses across Karnataka. With the ongoing SSLC (Class 10) exams starting on March 21, the state government has clarified that it will not support the shutdown, as it could affect lakhs of students preparing for their exams.

Holiday Bengaluru School, Colleges Ahead Of Karnataka Bandh

Bengaluru is expected to experience partial closures and disruptions in public transport and services, as several pro-Kannada organizations are likely to support the shutdown. Several educational institutes in Bengaluru have declared a holiday ahead of the Karnataka Bandh as a precaution. The shutdown may impact the public transport services and the BMTC and KSRTC services could be affected, with some buses going off the roads depending on the situation.

Deputy CM Shivakumar Opposes Karnataka Bandh

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said the state government would not encourage a bandh and that the administration would speak to pro-Kannada organisations that have called for a statewide shutdown on March 22 to make them understand that it is not the “right approach”.

Shivakumar was responding to Leader of Opposition Chalavadi Narayanaswamy in the Legislative Council regarding the Karnataka bandh on March 22, which could impact lakhs of SSLC (Class 10) students appearing for their exams that day.

“It (the bandh) is not needed at this time. They (the organisations) should have spoken to the government about it. It will affect students. We (the government) have also planned to launch a month-long water conservation campaign along with the Cauvery aarti on March 22, which is World Water Day,” Shivakumar said.

Speaking to reporters, he said, “We don’t encourage a bandh. The courts also do not support a bandh, whether it is political or organised by any group.” Further, he said, “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.”

“I have asked officials to speak to them (Kannada organisations). They (the organisations) cannot take the law into their own hands. I will speak to our officers and make a statement.” Kannada Okkuta leader and activist Vatal Nagaraj had said on Wednesday that the statewide bandh is expected to receive widespread support, although there are some doubts about the participation of certain organisations.

(With PTI inputs)