In the midst of Kannada Okkuta’s demand for a bandh in Karnataka, more than 40 flights were canceled and some pro-Kannada activists were detained when they attempted to demonstrate on the grounds of Bengaluru airport.
In protest against the delivery of Cauvery river water to neighboring Tamil Nadu, Kannada Okkuta, an umbrella organization representing Kannada organizations, called for a statewide bandh on Friday, which resulted in up to 44 flights being canceled at Bengaluru International Airport.
The airport officials said that the flights were canceled for operational reasons and that the passengers were promptly notified of this.
However, reports claimed that since many passengers had canceled their tickets, cancellations occurred as a result of the Karnataka bandh.
While staging a demonstration within the airport grounds with a Karnataka flag, five pro-Kannada activists were also detained.
According to sources, the five people seized had purchased tickets in order to enter the airport’s grounds.
BANDH KARNATAKA
Normal life was disrupted, particularly in the southern region of the state, as a result of the “Karnataka Bandh” appeal by pro-Kannada and farmer organizations.
Kannada Okkuta is a coalition of farmers’ organizations and groups from Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Kannada Chalavali (Vatal Paksha), and other organizations that have called for a nationwide dawn-to-dusk shutdown.
According to bandh organizers, there will be a sizable protest parade from Town Hall to Freedom Park in the city on Thursday. Participants from all spheres of society are expected to take part.
They said that the bandh would be observed throughout all of Karnataka and that they would make an effort to close all airports, toll booths, train services, and highways.
The bandh has received backing from the Karnataka hotel, autorickshaw, and hail rider organisations as well as the opposition BJP and JD(S).
