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Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has announced the suspension of state transport bus services to Karnataka following an attack on a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus. The decision was made on Saturday, February 24, 2025, after an incident in which pro-Kannada activists reportedly targeted an MSRTC bus and its driver.
Attack on MSRTC Bus in Karnataka
According to Sarnaik, the MSRTC bus, which was traveling from Bengaluru to Mumbai, was attacked in Chitradurga, Karnataka, on Friday night. Pro-Kannada activists allegedly stopped the vehicle, blackened the face of the driver, Bhaskar Jadhav, and physically assaulted him.
“The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus, which was plying from Bengaluru to Mumbai, was attacked in Chitradurga in Karnataka on Friday night by pro-Kannada activists,” Sarnaik stated.
Suspension of Bus Services Until Further Notice
In response to the incident, the Maharashtra government has decided to halt all MSRTC bus operations to Karnataka until further clarity is provided by the Karnataka government. Sarnaik emphasized that services would not resume unless the Karnataka administration made its stance on the issue clear.
“The bus services won’t be resumed unless the Karnataka government makes its stand clear on the issue,” he said.
The Maharashtra government is now awaiting a response from Karnataka authorities regarding the incident before deciding on the next steps.
