Bengaluru: Kannada organisations demanding a ban on the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) have called for a Karnataka Bandh on December 31.

"We have decided to observe the Karnataka Bandh ... from 6 am to 6 pm," Kannada leader Vatal Nagaraj told reporters here.

The demand comes in the wake of defacement of Krantiveer Sangolli Rayanna's statue in Belagavi by MES activists.

Nagaraj said the shutdown will not apply to hospitals and media offices. He urged the BJP, the Congress and JDS to support the bandh "as it is a matter of pride and prestige for Kannada and Karnataka".

"If Chief Minister (Basavaraj Bommai) bans MES by December 31, we will take back our bandh call," he added.

Karnataka Rakshana Vedike chief Praveen Shetty said MES was an anti-national outfit and should be banned.