Bharat Bandh: No major impact on normal life in Karnataka, protests disrupt traffic
Bengaluru, Sep 27: The 'Bharat Bandh' called by farmer unions on Monday to protest the Centre's three farm laws did not have any major impact on normal life in Karnataka, with all businesses and establishments functioning normally and transport services available.
However, protest by farmers and attempts by them to organise a 'Rasta Roko' on major national and state highways during the dawn-to-dusk bandh led to disruption in vehicular movement in several parts of the state, especially in Bengaluru.
Farmers and Kannada organisations held rallies from multiple points around Bengaluru K R Puram, Mysuru Road, Maurya Circle and converged at Town Hall and then proceeded to a protest rally at Freedom Park.
Many pro-Kannada organistions and trade unions, among others, took part in the protest.
Several farmers leaders and protesters including Kuruburu Shantakumar were detained by police.
Similar protests by farmers by burning tyres and effigies have been reported from different parts of the state.
There are reports about protesters in some parts of the state forcing shopkeepers and business to down shutters, but were stopped by police.
Claiming that the bandh according to them has been "successful", Farmer leader Kodihalli Chandrashekar said though the government ensured that buses and public transport operated to make the bandh unsuccessful, people have stayed back at home and have expressed their support to their cause.
"Bandh was successful in several districts, as people have come on streets and protested on major roads and highways, so we can say there has been a good response," he said, adding farmers organisations at Delhi together will decide on future course of action and how to take it forward.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day speaking to reporters in Hubbali, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had appealed to farmer unions not to cause inconvenience to the public who are just recovering from the impact of COVID-19, and asked them to express their difference in any other form.
"People have just started recovering from COVID and are indulging in businesses and other financial activities, people should not face any trouble again....I have appealed to the protesters not to cause inconvenience to people and cooperate," he said, appealing to protesters to express their differences in any other forms, but not to cause inconvenience to the public through bandh.
Police had had taken elaborate security measures to maintain peace and order in the wake of Bharat Bandh.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Bengaluru North) Dharmendra Kumar Meena sustained injury after a SUV ran over on his leg during the Bandh bandobast duty in Gorguntepalya, sources said.
The DCP was given first-aid and after some time he resumed duty. Police however seized the car and detained the driver.
With several organisations only extending moral support for the bandh, it did not have any major impact on normal life in the city and other parts of the state, police sources said.
Citing losses due to COVID pandemic and its induced lockdown, public transport (KSRTC and BMTC) employees' unions, hotel owners association, lorry, autorickshaw and taxi owners unions had said they support the protest, but will continue to operate.
Metro services are operating as usual besides restaurants and eateries.
The Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) and association of private schools in the state had said schools will remain open and they will extend only moral support to the bandh.
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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
