LIVE Updates | Karnataka Bandh Today: Pro-Kannada Protest Passes Off Peaceful Under Tight Security

Karnataka Bandh Live Updates: The Chairman of Kannada Okkuta (Federation of Kannada Organisations), an umbrella body of pro-Kannada and other groups, Vatal Nagaraj, said that the bandh would be observed today (22.03.2025).

Representational Image. (ANI)

Karnataka Bandh Live Updates: Pro-Kannada groups 'are holding a 12-hour statewide bandh across the state in protest against the alleged assault on a bus conductor in Belagavi for not speaking Marathi. Pro-Kannada groups claim they are being stopped by the state police. Ravi Shetty Byndoor, chairman of the Labour Council and a pro-Kannada activist, on Saturday alleged that the state government is using the police to suppress them.

"The government is using the police to suppress us. Vatal Nagaraj has called for a bandh. For that, many people have voluntarily come forward to go on a bandh. We are here to convince the bus drivers and operators. But they are stopping us. The government is sending us notice after notice. What are we, goons? We will start the rally at 11 am. We will take out the rally from Town Hall to Freedom Park," the chairman of the Labour Council and a pro-Kannada activist told reporters, as quoted by news agency ANI.

Several pro-Kannada groups have called a bandh in the state today from 6 am to 6 pm today. Metro services, BMTC and KSRTC buses, schools and colleges, markets, hospitals, and medical services will function as usual. Restaurants, hotels, bars, and pubs will also remain open.

The bandh has been called as Kannada organizations demand strict action against those responsible for violence against Kannadigas and measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Please stay tuned to ZEE News English for all the live updates on Karnataka Bandh

22 March 2025

20:25 IST

Karnataka Band Live Update: Pro-Kannada Protest Passes off Peaceful Under Tight Security

Karnataka bandh called by pro-Kannada groups to protest the alleged assault on a state-run bus conductor in Belagavi last month for not knowing Marathi passed off peacefully.

17:12 IST

Live Updates | Karnataka Bandh: Police Deployed, No Detentions

"Police have been deployed in all strategic and important places. This will be continued till the evening. Nobody has been detained. Those who were found to take out a rally or procession have been taken to Freedom Park," the Police commissioner said.

15:52 IST

Live Updates | Karnataka Bandh: Protesters Outside Bengaluru’s Town Hall 

Protesters assembled outside Bengaluru’s Town Hall caused a massive crowd.

15:22 IST

Live Updates | Karnataka Bandh: Situation Is Peaceful, Says Bengaluru Police

Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda said, "Situation is peaceful in Bengaluru city since morning. There has been no untoward incident reported from any part of the city. Police have been deployed in all strategic and important places. This will be continued till the evening..."

13:35 IST

Live Updates | Karnataka Bandh: Police Stop Pro-Kannada Activists In Bengaluru

Karnataka bandh protest | Police stop pro-Kannada activists who came to protest near Town Hall in Bengaluru. They have now been detained by Police.

#WATCH | Karnataka bandh protest | Police stop pro-Kannada activists who came to protest near Town Hall in Bengaluru. They have now been detained by Police. pic.twitter.com/enenaJl1iY

— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2025

13:31 IST

Karnataka Bandh Live: Bengaluru Police Commissioner Gives Big Update

Karnataka Bandh | Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda says, "Situation is peaceful in Bengaluru city since morning. There has been no untoward incident reported from any part of the city. Police have been deployed in all strategic and important places. This will be continued till the evening..."

#WATCH | Karnataka bandh | Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda says, "Situation is peaceful in Bengaluru city since morning. There has been no untoward incident reported from any part of the city. Police have been deployed in all strategic and important places. This will… pic.twitter.com/Eaezwf39Qt

— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2025

12:05 IST

Karnataka Bandh LIVE Updates: Activists Mount Heat, Shut Down Shops In Chikkamagaluru

Karnataka Bandh: Pro-Kannada activists make people shut down shops in Chikkamagaluru amid the 12-hour bandh called by pro-Kannada organisations. The bandh has been called in protest against the alleged assault on a bus conductor in Belagavi for not speaking Marathi.

#WATCH | Karnataka: Pro-Kannada activists make people shut down shops in Chikkamagaluru amid the 12-hour bandh called by pro-Kannada organisations. The bandh has been called in protest against the alleged assault on a bus conductor in Belagavi for not speaking Marathi. pic.twitter.com/WLMnvkeETB

— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2025

10:37 IST

Karnataka Bandh Live Updates: What's Happening In Bengaluru?

In Bengaluru, the activists gathered at the Mysore Bank circle and raised slogans holding placards. Some activists staged a demonstration at the BMTC and KSRTC bus stand at Majestic in the state capital.

The protestors appealed to the bus drivers and conductors to support the call for Bandh. As their agitation intensified, police took them under preventive custody. In Mysuru, some pro-Kannada activists staged a sit-in protest by blocking. 

10:35 IST

Karnataka Bandh LIVE: Pro-Kannada Groups Take To Streetsm Seek Support

In several parts of the state, the pro-kannada groups took to the streets staging protests and they appealed to the shopkeepers to cooperate and extend their support for the cause. But most of the shops were open as usual.

09:23 IST

Karnataka Bandh Live Updates: What Is The Timing Of The Bandh

The Bandh will be witnessed in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka for 12 hours, from 6 am to 6 pm.

09:20 IST

Karnataka Bandh LIVE: State govt using Police to suppress us, Says Chairman of Labour Council

Pro-Kannada groups' are holding 12-hour statewide bandh across the state in protest against the alleged assault on a bus conductor in Belagavi for not speaking Marath. The Pro-Kannada groups claim they are being stopped by the satet police.

Ravi Shetty Byndoor, Chairman of the Labour Council and a pro-Kannada activist on Saturday alleged that the state government is using the Police to suppress them.

"The government is using the Police to suppress us. Vatal Nagaraj has called for a bandh. For that, many people have voluntarily come forward to go on a bandh. We are here to convince the bus drivers and operators. But they are stopping us. The government is sending us notice after notice. What are we, goons? We will start the rally at 11 am. We will take out the rally from Town Hall to Freedom Park," the Chairman of the Labour Council and a pro-Kannada activist told reporters, as quoted by news agency ANI.

09:15 IST

Karnataka Bandh Live Updates: What Led To Bandh? 

A conductor of KSRTC was allegedly assaulted by people linked with pro-Marathi organisations for not speaking Marathi. The incident happened when the bus was going from Belagavi to Balekundri. 

07:01 IST

Karnataka Bandh Today LIVE: State Govt To Not Support Bandh, Says DK Shivakumar   

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said the state government would not encourage a bandh and that the administration would speak to pro-Kannada organisations that have called for a statewide shutdown on March 22 to make them understand that it is not the "right approach".

Speaking to reporters, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar urged people to maintain peace and abide by the law. "We will protect the interests of the state. Everyone should maintain peace and follow the law. However, I feel there is no need for a bandh," he said, as quoted by news agency PTI

06:44 IST

Karnataka Bandh Live Updates: Security Beefed Up In State

As Karnataka is set to observe Bandh today, security arrangements have been beefed up across the state as pro-Kannada groups have called for a 12-hour statewide shutdown on March 22 to protest the alleged assault on a state-run bus conductor in Belagavi last month for not speaking Marathi.

Police in several districts have deployed home guards and the City Armed Reserve unit as a precautionary measure to ensure that the bandh is observed peacefully without causing inconvenience to the public, PTI reported citing officials.

23:56 IST

Bengaluru Bandh Live: What’s Open, What’s Closed?

Closed or Affected:

• Public Transport: BMTC, KSRTC buses may be disrupted; autos, cabs partially affected.
• Schools & Colleges: Many declared a holiday; parents should confirm.
• Markets & Shops: Chickpet, KR Market, and other commercial areas may shut.
• Malls & Theaters: Some may close if protests escalate.
• Government Offices: Open, but attendance may be low.

Open & Operational:

• Metro: Running as usual; first/last-mile connectivity may be affected.
• Hospitals & Pharmacies: Fully operational.
• Rail & Air Travel: No disruptions expected; plan commute accordingly.
• Essential Services: Fuel stations, milk booths, some supermarkets open.

22:48 IST

Karnataka Bandh Live Updates: Statewide Bandh Called From 6AM To 6PM 

Protestors have announced a statewide bandh on Saturday from 6 AM to 6 PM in response to the alleged assault on a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus conductor in Belagavi last month. 

22:44 IST

Karnataka Bandh Live: No Holiday For Schools, Colleges In Bengaluru

As per media reports, Deputy Commissioner Jagadeesha G on Friday confirmed that schools and colleges in Bengaluru will remain open on Saturday despite the bandh called by pro-Kannada outfits.

22:34 IST

Karnataka Bandh 2025: Has Government Backed The Bandh? 

The Karnataka government has stated that it does not support the statewide bandh scheduled for March 22, 2025. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar emphasized that the administration does not encourage such shutdowns and plans to engage with pro-Kannada organizations to convey that a bandh is not the appropriate approach.

21:40 IST

Karnataka Bandh Live: Who All Have Shown Support To Bandh?

Cab aggregators Ola and Uber, the Bengaluru Airport Taxi Association, various auto unions, drivers' unions, Karmika Parishat, and theatre owners have declared their support for the bandh, according to news agency IANS. It has been decided that school buses and vans will be allowed to operate.

21:38 IST

LIVE Updates | Pro-Kannada Organisations To Observe Bandh Tomorrow

The pro-Kannada organisations have announced that they will observe the bandh on Saturday in protest against the attack on Karnataka State Regional Transport Corporation bus drivers in Maharashtra who could not speak Marathi.