BHARGAVI S. RAO and LEO SALDANHA write from Bangalore: Employing a highly illegal policy, the government of Karnataka intends to restrict entry to Bangalore’s heritage Cubbon Park and Lalbagh only to visitors carrying an electronic ID card.
Needless to state, this electronic ID comes at a steep price of Rs 200 per person and will be regulated based on a highly restrictive application process.
The intent is to prevent common folks, especially the urban poor and the voiceless, from using such public spaces while showcasing Bangalore as an elite friendly and global investment friendly city, with its public spaces out of bounds for local residents.
This is the beginning of the state’s encroachment of people’s right to freely access public spaces and a stage is being set to privatise public commons. All sorts of devious reasons are being flung at the public, including security concerns, morality and misuse of parks by “unnecessary elements”.
The manner in which the policy is formulated encourages the particular exclusion of access rights of the urban poor (especially from minorities), street and working children, elderly people, transgenders , migrant workers, labourers, street vendors, drivers of autorickshaws and taxis, the differently abled, families with children, etc.
The idea of having to carry an ID merely to access these two parks, fundamentally distances them from their unfettered and constitutionally protected right to use public spaces.
This policy also promotes discriminatory access to public spaces as it privileges ‘regular walkers’ and thus negates the very concept of parks as public commons. Simply stated this draconian policy encroaches our very fundamental right to live a healthy life based on dignified and unfettered access to public spaces.
It may even initiate conversion of our public commons, such as parks, playfields and open spaces, into private havens—a practice already in vogue by the State granting large parts of Cubbon Park to the Karnataka Lawn Tennis Association, Century Club and various other private clubs.
To protest such abhorrent acts of exclusion, we have organised a protest on Monday, 30 November 2009, from 4 pm to 6 pm at Queen’s statue, Cubbon Park, M. G. Road. We urge you to join us in this very critical struggle against encroachment of the fundamental rights to access public spaces.
We have also mounted an online petition to the Horticulture Minister Umesh Katti, who has initiated this policy, demanding that he immediately stop this illegal move.
***
Bhargavi S. Rao and Leo Saldanha of Environment Support Group, Bangalore, on behalf of Slum Jagatthu, CIEDS, Vimochana, Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (Bangalore district), Sanmathi, Alternative Law Forum, Sangama, Stree Jagruthi Samithi, CIVIC Bangalore, Hasiru Usiru and Open Space.
Sign the online petition here: Keep Lalbagh, Cubbon Park public
Why bring minorities into the picture? How does this discriminate against minorities. As if there are no rich among minorities. As if there are no urban poor, etc among “majorities”.
Otherwise, concern is valid. Govt’s move is ridiculous and must be opposed.
In the Bangalore’s upmarket RMV Extension, there is a small park with walking track etc maintained by the Resident’s Association. From the beginning they have been charging Entry Fee! In the evening it is chock-a block with people ! It looks like a carnival with Horse Riding, Pani Poori, Hot Bhutta enterprises waiting outside!
It is difficult to understand all the hullabaloo about the proposed charge by all and sundry ! Similar thing happened the University contemplated charging the users at Kukanahalli Lake at Mysore. The same people criticize when the parks and lakes are not maintained or handed over to private people. This business of opposing for opposing sake . After all there’s no such thing as a free lunch !
Restricting public entry into ‘public’ parks is against fundamental right. Instead of restricting entry, caretakers should be posted to ensure supervision and any violators should be punished with fines, as in western countries. Small sign boards should be erected at ideal places to educate the public.
That park should be sold-off and privatized. That would end our moral dilemma, once and for all.
This is such a cowardly act by the BJP govt, that reeks of… well they were never a noble in the first place. Aftell a bania owned, brahmin run party is expected of these.
Why bring minorities??
For the simple reason that of all the listed groups only minorities get the attention, surprising isn’t it. But truth is, anything govt related Minorities get eliminated by default.
This is a highly invalid/petulant rant!
For all those who talk about putting up sign boards etc. like in the western countries, do u know that in western countries ppl need to carry their ID cards and their health insurances at all times, failing to do so can land them behind bars and/or land heavy fines. Be happy that our government hasn’t imposed the stupid rule of compulsory health insurance for example, because for a person who does not fall ill that very often it is a huge inwanted expenditure.The point i try to make is stop comparing India to the western countries all the time. The ppl and the mindsets are differet, so the same approached will not work in the same way.
About this article, what is the problem in asking ppl to carry their identity at all times? After all we are the ones ranting about how our country is not safe and is open to terrorist attacks etc. This is a good way to keep track of ppl. And about the 200 Rs/person. As usual the writers have left out what initiatives are taken by the govt to make the I cards affordable for the poor! that was the one of the first points nilekani talked about when he was made head of this project. I wonder why churumuri entertains these rants by ignorant one sided authors.
@khan
only u can blame this on the bjp n baniyas n brahmins…the explcitives required to describe ppl like u are unfortunately not available for use, either cos they need to be invented or they need to be taken off the censor list.
Rajchandra
IF they are charging a fee in RMV extension AND if it is a private park, then it is right. but if it is a public park, then it is wrong to charge fees.
of course nothing comes free in life.
the corporation as it is, makes money from us. and this money SHOULD AND MUST BE USED for maintenance of parks.
there is no need to charge separate fees for park entry. let them utilize the money collected propely, instead of misusing the money.
But the fundamental question here is freedom of people to use public spaces. When a large percentage of people make less than 30 Rs. per day, do you think they can afford to pay 200 bucks?
Is the govt telling me that:
1) i have to pay Rs. 2400 a year to breathe fresh air?
2) i have to pay Rs. 2400 a year to take a leisurely stroll?
3) i have to pay Rs. 2400 a year to utilize the public library?
4) i have to pay Rs. 2400 to take a 20 minut siesta in the afternoon?
5) i have to pay rs. 2400 to admire the greenery in Cubbon Park
6) i have to pay rs. 2400 to just gupshup amidst greenery?
7) they have to pay rs. 2400 for a relaxed banterous afternoon with their college mates?
@Khan,
Fixing a fee for entry into the parks is a cowardly act??? How so?
Does that mean IUML and that muslim party from Hyderabad are nobility on the earth??
Duh!
“In the Bangalore’s upmarket RMV Extension………..”
Which park is this anyway? I don’t seem to have come across a park that charges fees for entry in the 10+ years I have been staying here!!
Or we could just let slum lords or real estate sharks just take over these parks…
Simple ! It is a BBMP property given to the local Residential Welfare Association!
Vinay ! I do not know which RMV Extension you are living ! This park is bang opposite to Loka Ayukta’s Residence !
We pay tax to the civic body (municipality/corporation) and that tax includes a number of cess like beggary cess, library cess etc. The tax is collected for the upkeep of the city, including public parks. Hence, there is no point in collecting a separate fee for ‘public’ parks. The Mysore University imposing an entry fee for Kukkarahally tank or private bodies collecting a fee for upkeep of gardens is to be accepted because they do not collect tax as a civic body does from its citizens. Cubbon Park or Lal Bagh are public parks and hence admission should be free.
vinay,
The park in RMV, is charging Rs. 3 on weeks days and Rs. 4 on weekend, a decade back is was a wasteland owned by BMP, now it is manage by sadashivnagar residents asso. It has a musical fountain.
I think it is the best park for children and infants, in cubbon park we find that khans cousins and aunts use the swings mean for children, here in sadashivnagar park (also called tank park) no food is allowed.
We seen hundreds of kids enjoying, I think Rs 4 is a small amount for the joy the kids get in playing there.
this is quite a ridiculous proposition by the governement…
something similar to the betchel’s policy in cochachamba; bolivia that rain water should not be harvested as the locals were supposed to pay for the water they use.
yeah, we are getting there.. yenjaai maadi!
what next?
Fee to walk on footpath?
Fee to enter a city bus stand?
Fee to just widow shop on brigade road?
Fee to enter a shopping mall?
Fee to even sit in my own private garden and watch life pass by?
We are heading towards the orwellian totalitarian state. There are very few public spaces left. If two lovers want to coochie koo in lalbagh they need to pay for it. Everything is going to be privatized and finally big sharks like the reddy brothers will own everything and an ordinary citizen would have to pay for everything. We already have jungle lodges where we need to pay to private agencies to go to the jungles and breathe fresh air. The private resorts have colonized all the scenic spots. The land, air and water everything will be owned by few capitalists. We are doomed. Yella Sarvanasha. Kali Yuga. Yella namma prarabda.
We, as a set of people, have very little value for what comes our way free of cost. While the proposal to levy fee for park entry needs to be reviewed, there are a host of benefits that are associated with charging a fee.
Let us look at the example of some of the lakes which were handed over to the private institutions for management. These lakes have now become absolutely beautiful where one can spend hours together. In a clean environment. Just a few years back, when these lakes were open to public, the only thing that was happening there were illegal fishing.
We have a mindset. Once something is deemed as public property, we don’t take enough care of it. Take the very example of Lalbagh and Cubbon Park. If we go there after a festival like Ramzan or Bakrid, the whole place will be littered with paper plates, plastic cups and stinking to the core. Who is going to clean this mess up? Or take the example of our roads immediately after ayudha pooje or any other festival. The sellers of Maavina Soppu & baale kamba simply throw the unsold goods on to road and vanish. Who will clean up this mess?
Levying a fee is useful. But much thought process should go into to what, how and where it should be levied.
Fee to just widow shop on brigade road?
Sometimes even spellcheckers aren’t enough! ;-)
What next? Special walking tracks for VIPs and extra fees for special purposes like in temples? (wonder if mosques, sufi shrines and churches practise similar kind of discrimination?)
Who has been awarded the contract to execute this modern access system? I bet that firm would be related some damn politician and the money will be on the trail to party funds and personal coffers of politicians. :|
Sri. Gauri Satya:
I think Cubbon Park and Lal bagh come under the control and management of Ministry of Horticulture, GOK and not BBMP. This is the basis for the proposal to entry fee by Mr. Katti in this regard.
If private parties can maintain a public park well, why cannot the Horticulture Department, which is maintained by the tax-payers’ money? It only shows their callous indifference towards their responsibility towards the public, who are their masters.
Hutta
Funds are not the problem. Inapproproiate using of the funds is the problem.
Corporation collects enough money through other taxes. Such taxes is spent maintenaince of parks.
Where lakes and parks are privately maintained, I am sure there are no fees.
it is a fundamental right to be able to breathe fresh air.
Nothing can change that.
Why talk about Id or Ramzan? Have you noticed lakes after ganesha habba?
The Government of Karnataka is planning to introduce entry pass in Cubbon Park and Lalbagh. Various Environment groups and civil society activist came together for a protest against such a move, at the Victoria Statue near Kabban Park on November 30. A video by Govind and Balaji.
Yeddi must get off of his Yettina Gaadi. Instead of taxing (if not preventing) the Mineral loot in Bellary, he is blindly allowing the taxing of people for utilizing public facilities that are already paid for by the overtaxed rupees.
What next ? ID cards for breathing clean Air ? (Of course they don’t have money to monitor the Pukii Jehadists entering the country through unmonitored borders and coasts. There aren’t enough resources to protect their own corrupt souls how can they worry about the nation).
After 60 odd years the Manifesto of the most popular (KP’s) party is still “Garibi Hatao”.
And we have these greedy Netas like Mr Ramesh Kumar (ex-Speaker) who wanted to build a private club in the current location of the Race Course for the exclusive use of the Netas (MLA & MP club). Didn’t these louts beg for votes to serve the public ? Why do they need a private club ? Have they finished serving the public ?
Can anyone tell me if playing Badminton with only my partner any crime or offense, if we play without disturbing others and not harming the precious Indian Ordinary Grass …?
We were just playing in an open space without any flower or imp grass nearby, Badminton, ofcourse with decent dress on a sunday evening and everyone was busy with their own work….then suddenly a jogger came walking and said playing in park is not allowed…! We were very happy to play without disturbing anyone…!
My question is why there is a problem in a park to play…?