State sponsored bandh paralyses life in Karnataka

The Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled Karnataka on Saturday saw the State grind to a total halt as practically all vehicles — public and private — went off the road, commercial establishments downed shutters and schools and colleges remained shut. The closure was in response to the Karnataka bandh call given by BJP to protest against the governor H R Bharadwaj’s approval for prosecution of chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.

The bandh turned violent across many parts in the state as BJP supporters took out rallies and pelted stones at several places in Bangalore, Hubli, Belgaum and Gulbarga. Supporters of BJP burnt tyres and closed down shutters of shops and commercial establishments. While the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation withdrew its services, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation did likewise after several buses were set on fire in Bangalore city by the angry supporters. With various autorickshaw and taxi drivers' unions going off the roads, no public transport was available in India’s tech hub.

Government offices, private companies, banks, shopping malls, theatres and fuel stations were closed. Majority of shops and business establishments across the state have been closed.Schools, both private and government owned, declared holiday as a precautionary measure.

Though train services were normal, those who arrived in railway stations and the airport had to face a harrowing time as they had no means of transport to reach their destinations. Some flights were cancelled or combined with others. Absence of public transport severely affected poor people with ailments as they were unable to reach hospitals.

Yeddyurappa’s supporters took to the streets on Saturday morning across the state protesting Bharadwaj’s decision. Reports of violence were reported from various places including Bangalore, Mysore and Belgaum.

BJP held protests all over the state denouncing the action and demanded recall of Bhardwaj. The bandh, described by BJP as "self-initiated" and "voluntary", was "near total" and marked by stray violent incidents, according to initial reports.

Stone pelting on shops and buses were reported from places such as Belgaum, Gulbarga, Shimoga and Bangalore.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leaders have decided to meet President Pratibha Patil on Monday seeking recall of the governor for his biased behaviour against Yeddyurappa.

Yeddyurappa is likely to file a petition before the High Court on January 24 challenging Bhardwaj's sanction to prosecute him under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.