Mixed response to Karnataka bandh in Mysuru in the initial phase

Shops closed at Devaraj Urs road in Mysuru on Saturday during Karnataka bunch called various organisations.
| Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram

The Karnataka Bandh called by various pro-Kannada outfits on Saturday (March 22, 2025), to protest against the alleged attack on a KSRTC bus conductor in Belagavi, has evoked mixed response in Mysuru in the initial phase.

The impact of the bandh was more pronounced in the heart of the city as many shops and business establishments in and around K.R.Circle remained closed.

Though a majority of the shops along the D. Devaraja Urs Road, the main commercial street of Mysuru, remained closed till 9.30 a.m., the employees clad in uniforms, were awaiting the opening of the shutters in front of the establishments. Many owners had adopted a wait-and-watch approach and began opening the shutters by 10.15 a.m.

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In Kuvempunagar and Saraswathipuram, the response in the initial two hours was mixed though a majority of the establishments were functioning as ususal. Autos were plying normally while the KSRTC was operating its services as usual.

Mr. C. Narayana Gowda, president of Mysuru Hotel Owners Association said that a few restaurants remained shut near the main bus stand for couple of hours but opened up for business by 10 a.m. He said the hotel association had extended moral support to the cause but was opposed to the bandh. As a result most hotels and restaurants in the heart of the city and residential areas, were functioning as usual.

However, the traffic on the road was relatively depleted compared to normal days.

Though the number of tourists at palace was less, March tends to be a low season as it is examination time across the country and hence the relatively low footfall cannot be attributed to the bandh.