Bengaluru is witnessing a rare and noticeable silence today, March 22, as Karnataka observes a statewide bandh led by pro-Kannada organizations. The bandh, which began early this morning, was called in protest against the state government’s recent move to set up a Marathi Development Authority. According to the Kannada Okkoota and other supporting groups, this decision undermines the status and significance of the Kannada language and culture. The bandh has seen widespread participation across the state, particularly in Bengaluru, where several areas have been heavily impacted.
The protest has affected the city’s routine activities significantly. Many private schools and colleges remained shut, while some opted for online classes. Shops, local markets, and small businesses in protest-heavy areas like Town Hall, KR Market, and Basavanagudi are closed for the day. Public transportation has taken a hit as well, with auto-rickshaw and taxi unions showing solidarity by staying off the roads. Even ride-hailing services such as Ola and Uber are operating at minimal capacity, with high waiting times and limited availability. Some petrol stations in central areas have reported low operations due to the drop in public movement.
Despite these disruptions, essential services in Bengaluru remain functional. Hospitals, medical stores, and emergency response teams are fully operational. Metro services are running normally, though with fewer commuters than usual. The Kempegowda International Airport is operating without major delays, and flights are taking off and landing as scheduled. Offices, banks, and tech companies are mostly open, although many employees have been advised to work from home due to transport issues and ongoing demonstrations.
Police have been deployed across the city to manage crowd movement and ensure that the protests remain peaceful. So far, no violent incidents have been reported. Key protest zones like Freedom Park and Town Hall have seen heavy footfall from protestors holding placards and raising slogans in support of Kannada pride. Traffic diversions are in place near protest routes, and authorities have urged residents to avoid these areas unless necessary.
On social media, hashtags like #KarnatakaBandh, #BangaloreBandh, and #SupportKannada are trending as users share images and updates from their neighborhoods. Citizens have expressed a mix of support and concern. While many stand by the cultural cause, others are questioning the frequent bandhs and their economic impact on daily wage workers and small business owners. Posts showing deserted streets, closed shops, and empty metro stations have flooded platforms like Twitter (now X), Instagram, and Facebook.
The bandh is scheduled to last until 6 PM today. However, protest leaders have hinted that this may only be the beginning if their demands are not addressed by the Karnataka government. The organizers are pushing for a rollback on the decision to establish the Marathi Development Authority and a renewed focus on policies that prioritize the Kannada language and its speakers.
Google search trends have spiked with questions like “why is Karnataka observing a bandh today,” “what is open in Bangalore today,” “is metro running during the bandh,” and “are schools closed today in Bengaluru.” These search queries reflect the growing public interest and confusion around what services are available during the protest.
To summarize, March 22 has become a day of cultural assertion for Karnataka. The Karnataka Bandh is not just a political protest but a call to recognize and preserve the linguistic identity of Kannadigas. While the bandh has disrupted daily life in many ways, it has also reignited conversations around regional pride and language politics in the state. Citizens are advised to stay informed through verified news sources and avoid crowded zones until the bandh officially ends.
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