Bharat Bandh to effect schools & transport services in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: Students and people commuting for work are likely to face issues as the transport services will be affected in the wake Bharat Bandh on Monday. Bharat Bandh has been called by All India Congress Committee and opposition parties. The nationwide Bandh has been called to protest against the rise in fuel prices and fall of rupee against the dollar.

Many educational institutes in Bengaluru have decided to declare a holiday on Monday. The transport service will remain affected from 9am and 3pm. The schools shall compensate for the classes by taking full-day classes on September 15, Saturday. All the exams scheduled for Monday, September 10 are expected to be postponed due to the shutdown.

“Private schools will not participate in the bandh in the interest of students. We have communicated to heads of educational institutions that they can use their discretionary powers to decide on giving a holiday. Schools can declare a holiday provided they conduct classes on Saturday,” said Shashi Kumar D, secretary, Associated Management of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka.

Bharat Bandh will affect the state buses as KSTRC Staff and Workers Association have offered to support band. Therefore, all state-run transport corporations like BMTC, KSRTC, NWKRTC, and NEKTRC will remain shut.

Some drivers associations have also supported the nationwide Bandh so the city is likely to face shortage of taxis. However, the taxi drivers are divided over the shutdown call.

“Increase in fuel prices has had a huge impact on the transport industry. But we can’t take a sudden decision without consulting all associations and MNC vendors,” said K Radhakrishna Holla, president, Bangalore Tourist Taxi Operators’ Association.

Meanwhile, auto unions are yet to take a call on the strike. Trains are also expected to remain affected on Monday so the commuters are advised to avail metro services.

Workers and drivers associations have also organised a march from Hampankatta Circle to the District Commissioner’s Office. “Bus and autorickshaw workers’, drivers’ and owners’ associations, maxi cab owners’ and drivers’ associations, Forum for Justice, beedi workers’ associations and various labour unions have supported the bandh”, Congress leader Ivan D’Souza told The Hindu.

“Our objective is not to trouble people or torment them, this bandh should be spontaneous. We are living in the most difficult times,” Congress state unit of the party Dinesh Gundu Rao said, adding the bandh will convey people’s ‘anger and hardship’ arising out of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies in the hope that he implements plans that benefit the masses.