Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj calls for State-wide bandh in Karnataka on March 22

Former MLA and Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj has called for ‘Karnataka bandh’ on March 22, in protest against the recent assault on a Kannada-speaking bus conductor in Belagavi.

However, the State’s prominent Kannada organisation, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), has not extended support to it.

Mr. Nagaraj condemned the attack and called for stringent action against those responsible. He demanded a ban on the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti, expulsion of Shiv Sena leaders from the State, and removal of Sambhaji statue in Belagavi.

He urged various sections of society to observe the Statewide bandh. He also said Kannada organisations would hold a ‘Belagavi Chalo’ on March 7.

Arun Javagal of KRV, talking to The Hindu, said his organisation would not support the bandh call. The organisation visited Belagavi and ensured withdrawal of the POCSO case filed against the conductor, he said.