India, March 2 -- Kannada Okkuta, a coalition of multiple pro-Kannada organizations, has called for a statewide bandh in Karnataka on March 22. The protest comes in response to the alleged assault of a state-run bus conductor in Belagavi for not speaking Marathi.

According to news agency PTI, Kannada activist and 'Kannada Okkuta' leader Vattal Nagaraj urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and various associations to extend support to the bandh.

"On March 22, from 6 am to 6 pm, there will be a bandh across Karnataka... those who will support the shutdown or not, we will see later. This bandh is for this state, for Kannada, Kannadigas and Karnataka. This is for the pride of Kannada and Karnataka," Vatal Nagaraj said according to the agency. ...