Bengaluru: Various pro-Kannada organisations called for Karnataka bandh on Tuesday, February 19. Former MLA and Vatal party president Vatal Nagaraj made an announcement in this regard.

Speaking to the reporters at the city press club, Vatal informed that the bandh has been called to infuse confidence among the army personnel. “We need to express our solidarity with the Indian army by observing a bandh. This is against the Pulwama attack in which 42 CRPF soldiers martyred,” he said.

He also stated that various Kannada organisations have extended support for the bandh. “In Bengaluru, a mammoth rally will be carried out,” he said.

But as Vatal announced the bandh call, netizens have slammed him for his decision.

“Instead of observing a day’s bandh we need to work for one hour extra in the memory of the martyred soldiers,” was a common opinion.

Meanwhile, the city police informed that no permission has been given for any kind of bandh by any organisations on Tuesday.