Goa, July 18 -- In a coordinated protest against what they call "unjust and disproportionate" GST back payment notices, around 65,000 small businesses across Karnataka-including bakeries, condiment stores, and paan beeda shops-will stop selling milk and tobacco products on July 23 and 24. The agitation will culminate in a state-wide bandh on July 25, with a large-scale demonstration planned at Freedom Park in Bengaluru.

The protest is being led by the Karnataka State Karmika Parishat, which has called for a complete shutdown to highlight the financial burden placed on small traders. "Our shop is valued at Rs.10 lakh, but the GST notice demands lakhs," said Dr Ravi Shetty Byndoor, president of the Parishat. He cited cases in Yelahanka and...