Kannada organizations to protest in Karnataka tomorrow against formation of Maratha Corporation: Bandh announced

A section of Kannada organisations have given a call for Karnataka bandh on December 5, protesting against the state government’s decision to constitute Maratha Development Authority. Most of the transport unions including autorickshaw and taxi unions have decided to support the bandh, while hotel owners’ association have said they will not be closing their businesses for the day but extend moral support. Recently, former MLA and Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj had called for a bandh condemning the state government’s decision to form Maratha Development Authority. The Karnataka government recently announced setting up a Maratha development board, with a fund of Rs 50 crore. The move to constitute a separate board for Marathi-speaking people has sparked protests among pro-Kannada groups, who have given a call for a Karnataka bandh on December 5, on account of opposition to neighbouring Maharashtra’s claims on border regions of Karnataka, which have large Marathi-speaking populations. After a Cabinet meeting on November 18, state Law Minister J C Madhuswamy said, “The Cabinet has approved the creation of the Maratha Development Board and it has been decided in principle to create a Lingayat Veerashaiva Development Board.”   Source: Indian Express