Karnataka Bandh on March 22, 2025: Impact on Services and Public Life:

On Saturday March the22nd, a group of pro-Kannada activists announced their plans to stage a protest in Karnataka from 6 AM to 6 PM for twelve consecutive hours. Their grievances stem from the purported violence perpetrated against a bus conductor situated in Belagavi.

In Belagavi, a bus conductor who works for Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) was already assaulted last month because he refused to communicate in the Marathi language. These events that have angered numerous Kannada associations also create mounting pressures to provide stricter enforcement and greater safety for Kannadigas in bordering states.

While speaking with media personnel, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka D K Shivakumar advised citizens to remain calm and follow the laws. He said, as reported by PTI, “We will protect the interests of the state. Everyone should maintain peace and follow the law. However, I feel there is no need for a bandh."

In case citizens choose to commit violence, business and educational institutions as well as public transport are likely to be impacted. In an effort to avert the looming possibility of civil violence, police have decided to increase surveillance and have issued instructions to the general public regarding updates on research.

Open, Closed: A Breakdown

- Bus service for BMTC and KSRTC could be suspended or affected due to unions supporting the call. There is still no official word of a full shut down, but private cab and auto drivers may choose to stay off due to some union’s bandh support.

- Malls, hotels bars and restaurants have chosen to remain open but only in moral support, as per PTI news sources.

- All services deemed essential, such as pharmacies, hospitals, ambulances, petrol kiosks, and metro services will remain active during bandh hours.

- Bengaluru’s Deputy commissioner Jagadeesha G claims that no such holiday has been announced for schools and colleges in Bengaluru; especially now that changes to transport services are likely. The bandh will likely affect millions of SSLC (class 10) students who have exams tomorrow and need to travel for the test.

- All government offices in the area will continue business as usual.

Reasons that led to the Karnataka Bandh

Last month, a KSRTC conductor operating a bus out of Belagavi to Balekundri was reportedly beaten by members of pro marathi groups for not communicating in their preferred language.

After the incident, inter-state bus services between Maharashtra and Karnataka were discontinued. The Assult on the conductor's head initiated discussion around the prominence of the language conflict between the two states.

Several right wing pro-Kannada groups including Kannada Okkuta are sponsoring the bandh to counter violence by pro Marathi anti social elements disturbing the peace in the area.