Hubli: Normal life in Hubli was affected today (Aug 26, 2004) with the city observing a bandh, in response to a call given by the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) demanding withdrawal of cases against former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti who surrendered before a court in Hubli yesterday (Aug 25, 2004).

Shops, hotels and other business establishments downed shutters, buses were off the roads and schools and colleges remained closed while BJP leaders marched in a huge procession and held a rally.

Prohibitory orders, which were in force till 6 hrs (IST), were not extended.

Barring an incident in which five city buses were stoned, the bandh had passed off peacefully till noon, police said.

Leading the BJP procession and addressing a rally thereafter, Jagadish Shettar, former leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, said they would continue their stir till the cases against Bharti were withdrawn.

Over 3,000 policemen, bolstered by Rapid Action force (RAF) and Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), are monitoring the situation.

Bharti, who was remanded to judicial custody till September 7, is now lodged at the guesthouse of the agriculture university at Dharwad, the other twin city of Hubli.

Bharti's surrender here came yesterday following the non-bailable warrant issued against her by a court on rioting and attempt to murder cases filed during the BJP-led agitation for hoisting the national flag at Idgah Maidan here in 1994.