Bandh affects Dharwad, Hubballi rather peaceful

Hubballi/Dharwad: The bandh call given by the BJP to demand farm loan waiver from the coalition government ended up having its impact on Dharwad. On Sunday evening, the BJP had made a public announcement asking people to support the bandh call. Party waorkers had also gone around the city requesting business establishments and government offices to shut down for the day. In order to avoid clashes with the protestors, most of the business establishments in the market area closed down their operations. As a result, normal life was affected in the city on Monday.

BJP Raitha Morcha members formed a human chain at the Alur Venkat Rao Circle and protested by burning old tyres. They also demanded that the State transport officials terminate their bus services. When the officials refused, stones were thrown on three buses damaging their wind-shield. Some of the protestors also allegedly thrashed college students for questioning them about their actions. However, no complaint has been registered so far in this regard.

In contrast, there was not much response to the bandh in Hubballi as educational institutions, banks and public transport services functioned as usual. Only the city bus services were disturbed till noon, while NWKRTC buses faced no such problem. The bandh did not even receive support from farmers and pro-Kannada organisations.

BJP workers, led by MP Pralhad Joshi, formed a human chain and protested at Rani Chennamma Circle. Joshi told reporters that the public voluntarily supported the bandh and the few buses that were operating were because of pressure from officials. He also said that the bandh was successful. Joshi said that if the Chief Minister did not make a decision on the loan waiver, he had no moral right to hold on to the post.