Bengaluru : Pro-Kannada organisation, “Karnataka Rakshana Vedike “ (KRV) activists vandalised several properties and ransacked multiple commercial buildings in different  parts of the bengaluru  city during what outfit had claimed was an “awareness procession” about the mandate for business establishment to prominently use Kannada in their name boards. The incidents were reported between 11am and 3pm according to KRV, its activists pulled down several  non-kannada name boards. At least three malls decided to shut down for the day following the incidents.

Bengaluru City police commissioner told to media that they have taken more than 1,000 activists, including several women into preventive custody. Meanwhile Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said,” i have been informed about the incident. Those who have taken law into their hands will be booked. The authorities will look into it”. Deputy CM DK Shiva kumar said, “we are not against the KRV Protest but we will not allow activist to damage public properties and action will be taken against those damage public  properties” he added.

Several traders express concern over the damaging of shop boards, especially when they have agreed to comply by the mandate, said the president of bengaluru trade association.

The KRV procession that began proceeded at different places in bengaluru and participants went on removing non-kannada name boards outside business establishments. Police tried to control activists and detained over a hundreds  of  activists, including KRV President TA Narayana Gowda and took them into custody as preventive measure. Narayana Gowda said their target was only non-kannada name boards and not individuals. However, a few businessmen alleged that activist abused them, “Despite having separate Kannada signboards, the English ones were smashed, while customers inside worried “.  Several netizens blamed police for not maintaining law and order in the city and allowing pro-Kannada activists to destroy multiple properties.