No freedom yet to hold protests here

No freedom yet to hold protests here

Raghava M.
‘The idea of designating only one space is flawed’

BANGALORE: An area of four acres has been earmarked in the city for holding protests and other meetings within the premises of the newly-opened Freedom Park. But even as the Licensing and Controlling of Assemblies and Processions Order has come into force, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is yet to create facilities here for holding protests and demonstrations.

It was three months ago that the Freedom Park, created by restructuring the Old Central Prison located off the busy Seshadri Road, was inaugurated. As a part of the first phase, the BBMP has created facilities such as amphitheatre, open air theatre, walking track and playing area for children in 16 acres of land and opened it to the public.

But the four-acre area, to be called “Agitation Ground”, does not seek to be top priority for BBMP. This area, which is presently used as parking place for visitors, is being developed only in the second phase. When the work does get going, the BBMP plans to restructure the compound wall and install huge gates for easy access and exit. They also plan facilities such as multi-level parking, drinking water and toilets.

“The whole four acres will be left open for conducting protests and rallies,” said H.R. Venugopalan, curator of the park.

Till this facility becomes functional, the police will permit holding of processions and agitations at the Jakkarayana Kere and Bannappa Park, said Police Commissioner Shankar M. Bidari.

‘Fundamentally flawed’
Freedom fighter H.S. Doreswamy said that the idea of designating only one space is fundamentally flawed. “If 10 groups want to protest on the same day, what will they do?” he asked. He demanded that instead of allocating one space, eight to 10 spots within two-km radius of Vidhana Saudha should be earmarked for protests and rallies. “No Minister or government official will care for protesters if they are too far away from the power centre,” he said.

Even the one space designated for protests has only been attracting weekend visitors and morning walkers who are making use of the walking track created along the boundary of the Park. The park retains many of the parts of the Old Central Prison, which was built in 1867.