KSRTC Joint Action Committee withdraws May 20 strike after Karnataka High Court directs talks with state government
Bengaluru: Commuters across Karnataka received major relief after transport employees officially withdrew the statewide bus strike scheduled for May 20 following directions from the Karnataka High Court. With the strike now called off, KSRTC and other state-run bus services will operate normally across the state on Tuesday.
The decision was announced by the KSRTC Joint Action Committee after the High Court instructed employee unions to suspend the agitation and directed the state government to hold discussions with transport staff representatives at the earliest.
KSRTC Joint Action Committee Convener Jayadevaraje Urs confirmed that the strike was being withdrawn in compliance with the court’s order.
The strike had raised concerns among lakhs of daily passengers, students and office-goers who depend heavily on government bus services operated by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and its divisions.
Karnataka High Court Intervention Ends Bus Strike
According to employee representatives, the transport unions had already informed the government about the proposed strike before the matter reached the Karnataka High Court through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
During the hearing, the court reportedly observed that the strike should be withdrawn and instructed the government to organise a formal meeting with employee representatives, either through Chief Minister or the Transport Minister, within a fixed timeframe.
Following the court’s intervention, transport unions agreed to suspend the protest and participate in discussions with the government.
“We are withdrawing the strike in compliance with the High Court order and will participate in talks with the government,” said Joint Action Committee Convener Jayadevaraje Urs.
Transport Employees Say Government Should Hold Talks
Joint Action Committee General Secretary Vijay Bhaskar stated that transport employees have every democratic right to protest and expressed disappointment over the government’s handling of the issue.
He said the unions were compelled to announce the strike because their demands had not been addressed despite repeated requests.
According to Vijay Bhaskar, the government could have independently initiated talks instead of waiting for judicial intervention through a PIL.
“The government itself could have called us for discussions earlier. We will make good use of the meeting directed by the High Court,” Vijay Bhaskar said.
He further noted that the High Court had acknowledged some of the concerns and demands raised by transport employees during the proceedings.
KSRTC Bus Services To Operate Normally Across Karnataka
With the strike officially withdrawn, all state-run bus operations, including KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC services, are expected to function normally on May 20 without disruption.
The development has come as a major relief for passengers across Bengaluru and other districts who feared transport chaos due to the proposed statewide strike.
Further discussions between the Karnataka government and transport employee unions are expected in the coming days regarding pending demands and labour-related issues.
