Karnataka Bandh: Police Detain Pro-Kannada Activists Near Town Hall In Bengaluru

By Oneindia Staff

Updated: Saturday, March 22, 2025, 19:10 [IST]

Bengaluru police detained more than 50 protesters who were chanting slogans and attempting to launch a rally from Town Hall in Bengaluru. In a separate incident, over 30 Karave activists were detained during protests at Channamma Circle in Belagavi.

In a few other parts of the state, the authorities have detained protestors.

Pro-Kannada groups have called for a statewide bandh on March 22 in a protest against the alleged assault of a state-run bus conductor in Belagavi last month for not knowing Marathi, which sparked calls for the bandh.

Karnataka Bandh Highlights:

Mar 22, 2025, 7:07 PM IST

This live blog ends here. Scroll down to read highlights of Karnataka Bandh day.

Mar 22, 2025, 5:24 PM IST

Karnataka

Karnataka Bandh

Here are visuals from South Bangalore.

Forget Coorg! Karnataka Bandh is not a success even in South Bengaluru! @VatalNagaraj Should be inclusive and include Kodava and Tulu Language Rights too, only then people will support.

You can’t be imposing your rights on others, fight for others rights also! #NoBundh pic.twitter.com/7cD5taCvWS
— Prathik Ponnanna (@Prathikthethith) March 22, 2025

Mar 22, 2025, 4:47 PM IST

Karnataka

Here are visuals showing Karnataka Banth affects on ground

Hennur main road #KarnatakaBandh

Autos plying as usual pic.twitter.com/bjIdGjRiQE
— Madhuri Adnal (@madhuriadnal) March 22, 2025

Mar 22, 2025, 4:17 PM IST

Karnataka

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."

Mar 22, 2025, 3:34 PM IST

Karnataka

Pro-Kannada activists detained near Town Hall in Bengaluru

#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

Mar 22, 2025, 2:12 PM IST

"People here are worried more about summer heat than bandh", Shreesha, a resident, tells a Oneindia reporter. A Malayali student named Deepak Devan claims that he did not feel like a bandh in Karnataka today. He arrived at the coastal town last night.

Mar 22, 2025, 2:10 PM IST

Normal life unaffected by bandh in Dakshina Kannada's Mangaluru.

Mar 22, 2025, 2:07 PM IST

A normal day at Fiza by Nexus Mall in Mangaladevi Temple road, Pandeshwar in Mangaluru.

Mar 22, 2025, 2:01 PM IST

No bandh effect in Mangaluru.

Mar 22, 2025, 12:02 PM IST

A picture taken at the Indian Express Circle.

Mar 22, 2025, 11:15 AM IST

Stage is set for protest in Town Hall.

Mar 22, 2025, 10:55 AM IST

Vatal Nagraj and pro-Kannada groups to protest at Town Hall.

Mar 22, 2025, 10:42 AM IST

Autorickshaw organisations have extended support to the bandh. But rickshaws are spotted here and there in Bengaluru.

Mar 22, 2025, 10:41 AM IST

Vidhana Soudha Road wears a deserted look due to bandh.

Mar 22, 2025, 9:56 AM IST

Ravi Shetty Byndoor, Chairman of the Labour Council and a pro-Kannada activist, has slammed the Congress government for trying to suppress their voice using the Police. "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," ANI quoted the Chairman of the Labour Council and a pro-Kannada activist as telling reporters.

Mar 22, 2025, 9:25 AM IST

Pro-Kannada activists protest in Tumakuru amid the 12-hour bandh called by pro-Kannada organisations.

#WATCH | Karnataka: Pro-Kannada activists protest in Tumakuru 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/QdyJI07FYf
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2025

Mar 22, 2025, 9:10 AM IST

Pro-Kannada activists protest in Mandya 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. Visuals from Sanjaya Circle in the city.

#WATCH | Karnataka: Pro-Kannada activists protest in Mandya 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. Visuals from Sanjaya Circle in the… pic.twitter.com/M51tPDwR0L
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2025

Mar 22, 2025, 8:57 AM IST

Bus services and essential services remain operational as usual in Gadag amid the 12-hour bandh called by pro-Kannada organisations.

#WATCH | Karnataka: Bus services and essential services remain operational as usual in Gadag 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/Bsky7bJwBb
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2025

Mar 22, 2025, 8:35 AM IST

Ravi Shetty Byndoor, Chairman of the Labour Council and a pro-Kannada activist, says, "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."

Mar 22, 2025, 8:17 AM IST

Passengers arrive at a bus terminal in Bengaluru amid pro-Kannada groups' 12-hour statewide bandh in protest against the alleged assault on a bus conductor in Belagavi for not speaking Marathi.

#WATCH | Karnataka: Passengers arrive at a bus terminal in Bengaluru amid pro-Kannada groups' 12-hour statewide bandh in protest against the alleged assault on a bus conductor in Belagavi for not speaking Marathi. pic.twitter.com/rT5yseoLna
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2025

Mar 22, 2025, 8:13 AM IST

The bandh is getting lukewarm response and normal life has not been affected, so far.

Mar 22, 2025, 8:01 AM IST

BMTC buses are plying like normal in Bengaluru.

Mar 22, 2025, 7:49 AM IST

Visuals from Kalaburagi, where Police personnel have been deployed as a precautionary measure while normal daily activities continue.

#WATCH | Karnataka: Several pro-Kannada groups have called a bandh in the state today from 6 am to 6 pm, in protest against the alleged assault on a bus conductor in Belagavi for not speaking Marathi.

Visuals from Kalaburagi, where Police personnel have been deployed as a… pic.twitter.com/atR3C3pPxw
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2025

Mar 22, 2025, 7:47 AM IST

Vehicles are spotted here and there in Central Bengaluru.

Mar 22, 2025, 7:41 AM IST

Roads are empty at the Richards Park in the central part of Bengaluru.

Mar 22, 2025, 7:34 AM IST

The BMTC buses are plying like normal. The pictures taken from Hennur Road.

Mar 22, 2025, 7:18 AM IST

Expressing confidence about the film industry and actors participating in the bandh, Nagaraj also urged to Kannada literary figures to lend their support to the bandh.

Mar 22, 2025, 6:44 AM IST

To a question on certain pro-Kannada and other organisations not supporting the bandh, Nagraj said he has appealed to them to participate in it for the cause of Kannada.

Mar 22, 2025, 6:17 AM IST

“Pro Kannada organisations have been fighting for the cause of Kannada continuously. We don’t want Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) in Belagavi, I urge the Karnataka government to ban MES. We need to save Belagavi. The state transport bus conductor was assaulted by some Marathi speaking people in Belagavi in Karnataka. The bandh on March 22 is for bus drivers and conductors,” Nagaraj added.

Mar 22, 2025, 5:57 AM IST

Speaking to reporters here, he said it seems as though Belagavi is in the hands of Marathi speaking people and not Kannadigas, also politicians and Ministers from Belagavi are working as “agents of Marathis”.

Mar 22, 2025, 5:06 am IST

On February 28, ‘Kannada Okkuta,’ an umbrella organization representing various pro-Kannada groups, announced the statewide bandh from 6 am to 6 pm on March 22.

Mar 22, 2025, 5:10 am IST

However, some organizations and unions have either chosen not to support the bandh or have decided to offer only moral support.

Mar 22, 2025, 5:13 am IST

Prominent pro-Kannada groups, including the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike factions led by T A Narayana Gowda and Praveen Shetty, have also refrained from backing the bandh.

Mar 22, 2025, 5:30 am IST

Some autorickshaw, cabs and private drivers unions or associations have extended support to the bandh, while hotels association, malls and bars and restaurants have only offered moral support.

Mar 22, 2025, 5:45 am IST

“This bandh is for the sake of Kannada, Kannadigas. Everyone should support the bandh for the sake of Kannadigas, their pride and self respect. This is Kannadiga’s bandh from Belagavi to Chamarajanagara and Mangaluru to Kolar on March 22,” Vatal Nagaraj said.

Mar 22, 2025, 5:57 am IST

Mar 22, 2025, 6:17 am IST

Mar 22, 2025, 6:44 am IST

To a question on certain pro-Kannada and other organisations not supporting the bandh, Nagraj said he has appealed to them to participate in it for the cause of Kannada.

Mar 22, 2025, 7:18 am IST

Expressing confidence about the film industry and actors participating in the bandh, Nagaraj also urged to Kannada literary figures to lend their support to the bandh.

Mar 22, 2025, 7:34 am IST

The BMTC buses are plying like normal. The pictures taken from Hennur Road.

Mar 22, 2025, 7:41 am IST

Roads are empty at the Richards Park in the central part of Bengaluru.

Mar 22, 2025, 7:47 am IST

Vehicles are spotted here and there in Central Bengaluru.

Mar 22, 2025, 7:49 am IST

Visuals from Kalaburagi, where Police personnel have been deployed as a precautionary measure while normal daily activities continue.

#WATCH | Karnataka: Several pro-Kannada groups have called a bandh in the state today from 6 am to 6 pm, in protest against the alleged assault on a bus conductor in Belagavi for not speaking Marathi.

Visuals from Kalaburagi, where Police personnel have been deployed as a… pic.twitter.com/atR3C3pPxw
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2025

Mar 22, 2025, 8:01 am IST

BMTC buses are plying like normal in Bengaluru.

Mar 22, 2025, 8:13 am IST

The bandh is getting lukewarm response and normal life has not been affected, so far.

Mar 22, 2025, 8:17 am IST

Passengers arrive at a bus terminal in Bengaluru amid pro-Kannada groups' 12-hour statewide bandh in protest against the alleged assault on a bus conductor in Belagavi for not speaking Marathi.

#WATCH | Karnataka: Passengers arrive at a bus terminal in Bengaluru amid pro-Kannada groups' 12-hour statewide bandh in protest against the alleged assault on a bus conductor in Belagavi for not speaking Marathi. pic.twitter.com/rT5yseoLna
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2025

Mar 22, 2025, 8:35 am IST

Mar 22, 2025, 8:57 am IST

Bus services and essential services remain operational as usual in Gadag amid the 12-hour bandh called by pro-Kannada organisations.

#WATCH | Karnataka: Bus services and essential services remain operational as usual in Gadag 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/Bsky7bJwBb
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2025

Mar 22, 2025, 9:10 am IST

#WATCH | Karnataka: Pro-Kannada activists protest in Mandya 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. Visuals from Sanjaya Circle in the… pic.twitter.com/M51tPDwR0L
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2025

Mar 22, 2025, 9:25 am IST

Pro-Kannada activists protest in Tumakuru amid the 12-hour bandh called by pro-Kannada organisations.

#WATCH | Karnataka: Pro-Kannada activists protest in Tumakuru 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/QdyJI07FYf
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2025

Mar 22, 2025, 9:56 am IST

Mar 22, 2025, 10:41 am IST