Support for Karnataka bandh divided in Mysuru

Published 12 August 2026 · india

Support for the Karnataka bandh appears divided in the city, with organisations voicing differing views on observing the shutdown. While the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha

Support for the Karnataka bandh appears divided in the city, with organisations voicing differing views on observing the shutdown. While the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) has extended support to the bandh, the Karnataka Kavalu Pade said it would back it only “indirectly” and instead hold a symbolic demonstration at Hardinge Circle on Thursday. The Mysuru District Hotel Owners’ Association, meanwhile, has made clear it will not support the bandh. KRRS leader Badagalapura Nagendra, while backing the bandh, stressed the need to maintain peace, saying in a statement that it should be observed without any untoward incidents. A meeting of various pro-Kannada organisations, associations and student unions was convened by the Karnataka Kavalu Pade at Rajkumar Park, in front of the Kote Anjaneya Swamy Temple, to discuss the proposed bandh.

The meeting decided on the symbolic demonstration at Hardinge Circle. Referring to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s assurance to protect farmers’ interests, and his appeal to pro-Kannada activists to “take rest,” Karnataka Kavalu Pade State president M. Mohan Kumar Gowda said activists would “lie down and sleep” at Hardinge Circle for an hour as part of the novel protest. While terming this an “indirect” show of support for the bandh, he acknowledged that a majority of those present at the meeting were not in favour of it. He also regretted that veteran Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj, during his recent visit to Mysuru, had not consulted local Kannada activists on the bandh.

Mysuru Hotel Owners’ Association president C. Narayana Gowda said his association would not support the bandh. He pointed out that rising prices of diesel, petrol, LPG, foodgrains, groceries, edible oils and rice had already left the public distressed, making it increasingly difficult for people to make a living. He also noted that recent rains had brought substantial inflows into reservoirs across the State, arguing that a bandh was unwarranted under the circumstances — especially after the government made its position clear and the Chief Minister appealed to people to call it off. Narayana Gowda added that the Association would always be at the forefront of struggles concerning water, land, rivers, borders, the Kannada language and similar issues, but maintained that a bandh was not the only form of protest.

“We urge the protesters to find alternative means of agitation. How appropriate is it for us to impose a bandh on ourselves and cause losses? We will participate in the struggle, but there will be no bandh from our side,” he said.