In a coordinated protest against what they call "unjust and disproportionate" GST back payment notices, around 65,000 small businesses across Karnataka—including bakeries, condiment stores, and paan beeda shops—will stop selling milk and tobacco products on July 23 and 24. The agitation will culminate in a state-wide bandh on July 25, with a large-scale demonstration planned at Freedom Park in Bengaluru.
The protest is being led by the Karnataka State Karmika Parishat, which has called for a complete shutdown to highlight the financial burden placed on small traders. “Our shop is valued at ₹10 lakh, but the GST notice demands lakhs,” said Dr Ravi Shetty Byndoor, president of the Parishat. He cited cases in Yelahanka and Nagarbhavi where shop owners received tax demands of ₹39 lakh and ₹33 lakh respectively—amounts they say far exceed the actual value of their businesses.
Support for the protest is growing, with several street vendor associations and trader groups joining the movement. The Drivers’ Association has also urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to step in and address the concerns of small entrepreneurs.
Protesters have warned that the agitation will intensify if the government fails to withdraw the GST demands and offer relief measures.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)