Karnataka Bandh Protests Over Belagavi Assault Disrupt Transport

Pro-Kannada groups demand action against pro-Marathi activists as government opposes bandh, citing its impact on exams and public services.

The 12-hour statewide bandh, led by Kannada Okkuta, protests the alleged assault on a KSRTC bus conductor in Belagavi for not speaking Marathi.
Transport services, including private cabs and auto-rickshaws, face disruptions, while essential services like hospitals and metro operations continue unaffected.
The Karnataka government, led by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, opposes the bandh, emphasizing its potential disruption to ongoing board exams.
Security forces, including home guards and police units, have been deployed across Karnataka to maintain order during the protests.
Major Kannada organizations, such as Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, have withheld support, limiting the bandh's overall impact.