Bus, auto and taxi services were badly hit in Bengaluru, causing hardship to commuters, leaving thousands stranded at many places.
Initial reports said the bandh had evoked a good response in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Tumkuru, Mandya and several other places, where activists of pro-Kannada organisations staged protests.
In Bengaluru, commercial establishments remained closed as also the shopping malls in support of the bandh, which the organisers have claimed has the backing of about 600 to 700 Kannada organisations.
The dawn-to-dusk bandh is a show of strength of the people of Karnataka against Tamil Nadu, Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha President Vatal Nagaraj, whose Kannada outfit is spearheading the protest, said.
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Buses bound for Tamil Nadu from Bengaluru also did not operate, as also those proceeding to other parts within the state, officials said.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said the government is not supporting the bandh but the state is determined to go ahead with the Mekedatu project and appealed to people to maintain peace.