Several private schools and State government offices are expected to be closed on Thursday owing to the Karnataka bandh called by various organisations against the “Centre’s apathy” towards the Mahadayi dispute.
On Tuesday, the Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka sent an advisory to schools that they should remain closed on Thursday and conduct full-day classes on Saturday to compensate.
The Education Department, however, has said it is up to the deputy commissioners of respective districts to take a decision based on the situation there. Bangalore University has rescheduled some of its undergraduate and postgraduate examinations. Majority of these examinations are part of its distance education programmes.
Transport authorities have said they would operate services on Thursday. Ride-hailing apps have said on social media that they would be functioning.
H.D. Revappa from the KSRTC Employee Federation, affiliated to the CITU, said services would be operational on Thursday.
However, services around Hubballi and other northern districts may get affected as the bandh is expected to be most intense there.
Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) managing director V. Ponnuraj said they would follow the directives given by the State government.
Government offices and associated services are expected to come to a halt on Thursday.
The Karnataka State Government Employees’ Association, which claims to represent more than 6 lakh workers from across the State, has extended support to the bandh.
Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce has extended support to the bandh. Film shootings and film shows will remain suspended.
Vatal Nagaraj, president of the Kannada Okkoota, expressed confidence that the bandh will be successful, with many government employees’ associations extending their support. “This is one way to give the Prime Minister a message that Karnataka will not be silent over the Mahadayi issue,” he said.
When asked about the politicking behind the bandh, he said, “When we called the bandh, we called it for all political parties to participate. But, the BJP has reduced it to a political fight. It just shows that they are agents of the Union government and Goa.”
