Vatal says bundh on April 10, KRV differs

Vatal says bundh on April 10, KRV differs
DH News Service,Bangalore:
As pro-Kannada organisations of various hues geared up for a Karnataka bundh over the controversial Hogenakal project, a consensus over the date for the protest was clearly missing.


But the Karnataka Gadi Horata Samithi claimed that over 300 organisations had pledged their support for a State-wide bundh on April 10.

Yet, the Kannada Rakshana Vedike (KRV) which spearheaded the agitation over the last few days, was clear that the bundh could not be scheduled for April 10 as students had exams.

However, KRV was prepared to reschedule its earlier bundh date of April 14. Reason: The birth anniversary of Baba Saheb Ambedkar falls on April 14, and the Vedike was not in a mood to disturb the celebrations.

Film bundh

Kannada film industry would close on April 10 and participate in the bundh, Dr Rajkumar Abhima-nigala Sangha President Sa Ra Govindu said.

The confusion had its effect on several students and the public who called up Deccan Herald for some clarity. They were worried that two bundhs on different days would be chaotic. While students were anxious about their exams, several others had no clue about their travel plans in the vacation season.

Clarity is likely to emerge on Thursday when KRV talks to other Kannada organisations to fix a bundh date. On Wednesday, however, neither Vatal Nagaraj nor KRV chief Narayana Gowda had consulted each other.
“I haven’t spoken to them (KRV men). Only in the news I read that they are holding bundh on April 14. I am not going to change my schedule. Whatever we have decided is final and we will stick to the date to observe Karnataka Bundh,” Nagaraj said.

He said even the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and Dr Rajkumar Abhimanigala Sangha had extended their support to the April 10 bundh and the number of organisations supporting bundh was increasing.
The dawn-to-dusk bundh which will begin at 6 am, will spare essential services like milk supply and ambulance, he said, adding that the support of the government, hotel and transport industries was also expected.