Couples, Kids, and Civil Societies are troubled by the new and unofficial restrictions at Cubbon Park
The new Cubbon Park restrictions are not official and are only oral instructions.
Umpathi, a high court advocate, Bangalore says, “The horticulture department cannot restrict the people at Cubbon Park as there is no official government order for any new rules in the park. Hence, these new restrictions are not valid as they are not in accordance with the law.
Civil Societies in Bengaluru that conduct their regular meetings in Cubbon Park can now not sit in groups, as the new Cubbon Park restrictions set by the Horticulture Department restrict the movement of couples and groups in the park.
Fridays for Future Karnataka in an Instagram story said that they are also affected by the new restrictions as they conduct their regular meetings in the park.
An activist, Brinda Adige says, “When we sit in groups now, the security guards just switch on the sprinklers to shoo us away. The restrictions seem very unnecessary and uncalled for.”
Cubbon Park is a famous tourist spot in Bangalore. It has a history of almost 100 years and is in the heart of the city, surrounded by the Vidhana Soudha, High Court, and many other administrative buildings.
A report by The Indian Express says, No eating food, no games, no public display of affection, and no climbing trees. These are just some of the many rules being strictly enforced in Bengaluru’s Cubbon Park by the Horticulture Department of Karnataka as summer kicks in. While officials cited complaints from some walkers about activities “inappropriate for children”, the policing has not gone down well with a section of Bengalurueans.
Brinda says that she has started going to the park more after the implementation of the rules because it is important that these new rules are revoked.
Mahesh Shantaram, a photographer, and activist says, “I am keen on encouraging the people to go to the park and openly break their rules. Take photos, climb trees, play frisbee, etc.”
He also says that he would like to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the future about these rules.
A petition was started on Jhatkaa.org, ‘Roll back new rules for Cubbon Park’. The petition says, “We now have security guards blowing whistles and blaring instructions on loudspeakers to the groups they think are violating these bizarre rules. Does that seem like the quiet, green space we Bangaloreans yearn for?”
The petition wants 5000 signatures and currently has over 2915 signatures.
An official of the Horticulture Department in the same report mentioned, “These rules are not new. They have been existing for years, and we are now strictly enforcing them because of the high visitor count,” a horticulture department official said. “Usually, we used to see 2,000-3,000 visitors daily; this time, we are witnessing nearly 6,000- 8,000 visitors daily. We cannot allow food because people do not maintain cleanliness, which ultimately invites rats. We don’t allow kids to bring bat, ball or football because playing games would damage the sprinkler system and other accessories responsible for irrigation.”
Umapathi added, “Citizens are entitled to use the park. In fact, Cubbon Park and Lalbagh were both unofficially known as lovers’ parks. Too many restrictions question the right to privacy of all.”
No food, no couples together, no food, no recording now in Cubbon Park
