BANGALORE: Kannada Vatal Paksha, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) and various organisations have called for a Bangalore bandh on Thursday in protest against increasing rapes.
President of Kannada Chalavali Vatal Paksha Vatal Nagaraj told Express that the bandh was not meant to target the state government or police but was against rapists.
“We are seeking help from the society to boycott rapists and those involved in sexual harassment cases,” he said, adding that the bandh will be in force from 6 am to 6 pm.
Hospitals, medical shops, ambulances, milk supply and the media will be exempted from the bandh, which will be supported by film personalities, a few employees of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation and more then 60 other organisations, he said.
BMTC managing director Anjum Pervez however said the few employees will only represent the union in the bandh and buses will ply as usual.
A rally will start from Town Hall at 10 am and will pass through Mysore Bank Circle before ending at the Chief Minister’s residence, he added.
“We demand strict action against rapists under the Goonda Act. Jails make no difference to them and we demand that the government take these cases seriously,” Nagaraj said.
“We are also demanding that the government rehabilitate rape and sexual harassment victims,” he added.
Nagaraj said they will also give a representation to the Chief Minister on the Maharashtra name board controversy at Yellur near Belgaum and against the violence by Shiv Sena had other organisations.
KFCC president H D Gangaraju said KFCC will call a meeting on Monday at 4 pm to discuss the issue and take a decision.