Karnataka Bandh: CM Bommai appeals to Kannada groups to withdraw statewide bandh on December 31
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday appealed to pro-Kannada outfits not to call for a statewide bandh on December 31, demanding a complete ban on the activities of the Maharashtra Integration Committee (MES). He said the government has already taken action against “anti-Kannada forces” and is examining their demand for a legal ban.
“I appeal to the organisations… as per their wish, we have already taken many decisions. We have taken strict action as per law against anti-Kannada forces. On demand to ban MES, we will do it legally. We are investigating. So I appeal to them through media not to extend the bandh. Bandh is not the answer to everything,” Bommai said.
Talking to reporters, he said, if the organizations want to create pressure in any peaceful way other than the bandh, then the government will welcome it.
“Therefore, we heartily appeal to the organizations to drop the bandh call,” he said.
Several Kannada organizations have called for a one-day statewide bandh on December 31, demanding a complete ban on the activities of the Maharashtra Integration Committee in the state over their repeated involvement in “anti-Karnataka and anti-Kannada activities”. Is.
The demand comes in the wake of recent incidents of burning of Kannada flag in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur and defacement of historical icon Sangoli Rayanna’s statue in Belagavi, allegedly by MES activists.
Maharashtra Integration Committee (MES), a Marathi organization, has been campaigning for a long time to merge Marathi speaking areas in Belagavi with Maharashtra.
Asked whether MES can be banned as per law, Bommai said, “We are looking into it.” I am not saying that it will be banned, I had said the same thing in the assembly also. We have to look into it.” Many organizations like Karnataka Raksha Vedike (KRV), Brihat Bangalore Hotel Association, Auto, School and College Association, Shopping Mall Association and many other commercial establishments have offered only moral support and said that they will not participate in the band and will work normally.
Business establishments have cited brisk New Year’s business for not physically supporting the bandh call.
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