CM Bommai appeals to pro-Kannada organisations not to go ahead with Karnataka bandh on Dec 31
Hubballi (Karnataka)(PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday appealed to pro-Kannada organisations not to go ahead with the state-wide bandh called by them on December 31, demanding a complete ban on the activities of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samithi (MES).
He said the government has already taken action against "anti Kannada forces" and was examining their demand for the ban legally.
"I appeal to organisations... as per their wishes, we have already taken several decisions. We have taken strict action as per law against anti Kannada forces. On the demand for banning MES, we are examining it legally. So I appeal to them through the media not to go ahead with the bandh. Bandh is not an answer for everything," Bommai said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, the government would welcome it if organisations want to put pressure in any other peaceful way, other than bandh.
"So we earnestly appeal to the organisations to drop the bandh call," he added.
Several pro-Kannada organisations have called for a day-long state wide bandh on December 31, demanding a complete ban on the activities of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samithi in the state over its repeated involvement in "anti-Karnataka and anti-Kannada activities".
The demand follows the recent incidents of burning of the Kannada flag in Maharashtra's Kolhapur and defacement of the statue of historical icon Sangolli Rayanna in Belagavi, allegedly by MES activists.
The Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES), a Marathi outfit, has been campaigning for long to merge Marathi speaking regions in Belagavi with Maharashtra.
Asked whether MES can be banned as per law, Bommai said, "We are examining it. I'm not saying it will be banned, I had said the same thing in the assembly as well. We will have to look into it."
To a question if the orginsations try to implement the bandh forcefully, he said, " we will take action accordingly, as and when such a situation arise."
However, several organisations like the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), Bruhat Bangalore Hotels Association, Auto, schools and colleges associations, shopping malls association and several other commercial establishments have offered only moral support and said they will not participate in the band and function normally.
Business establishments have cited New Year brisk business for not physically supporting the bandh call.
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BJP people 'gaddar', 'dramebaaz'; need to be removed from power: Kharge
New Delhi (PTI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the BJP, saying those indulging in "vote chori" are "gaddars" and need to be removed from power to save the voting right and the Constitution.
Addressing the party's 'Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod' rally at the Ramlila Maidan here, Kharge said it is the duty of all Indians to unitedly strengthen Congress ideology as only this party can save the country.
He alleged that the RSS ideology will "finish the nation".
ALSO READ: Rally against "vote chori" to protect every citizen's right, says D K Shivakumar
"The BJP people are 'gaddars' (traitors) and 'dramebaaz' (indulge in theatrics). They need to be removed from power," Kharge said.
The Congress president also said that he did not go for his son's operation in Bengaluru and stayed to attend the rally as he thought it was important "to save 140 crore people".
#WATCH | Delhi | Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge says, "The leaders of the BJP only do drama...Some BJP leaders were questioning whether, after the Parliament session, Rahul Gandhi is going abroad. During the Parliament session, PM Modi never attends the session but goes… pic.twitter.com/DMa5nAyc3Z
— ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2025
