Karnataka withdraws park land amendment bill after civic pressure and protests

The State Cabinet has withdrawn the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, drawing praise from civil society groups who described it as a "victory for civic activism and the true essence of democracy". The Bill had permitted alienation of 5% of park land to accommodate a tunnel road project.

Civil society groups are comparing the development to earlier instances when public pressure forced the government to abandon the steel flyover project in 2016 and recent land acquisition plans in Devanahalli. However, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister have clarified that the Bill will be put to wider public debate and reintroduced with suitable amendments, prompting civic groups to remain cautious about the government's next steps.

BJP claims credit for withdrawal

Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok has claimed the withdrawal as a victory for the BJP, calling it the party's second win after forcing the resignation of former Minister B. Nagendra. "The government has announced withdrawal of the Bill within 24 hours of the BJP announcing its protest," he said, adding that the BJP would oppose any future attempts to take over park land.

Protests and petition forced government's hand

The Bill was passed without debate in the recently-concluded monsoon session, amid protests by the BJP seeking Mr. Nagendra's resignation. Several civic groups subsequently objected to the legislation. An online petition against the amendment gathered over 25,000 signatures, followed by silent demonstrations at Lalbagh.

Greenpeace India and other organisations ran a poster campaign under the banner "Not 5%, Not One Inch. Leave Our Parks Alone". A protest walk at Lalbagh held on August 30, called by Bengaluru South BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, saw a large turnout.

N.S. Mukunda, founding member of Bengaluru Praja Vedike, said that when the public presents clear facts and figures in opposition to something, it has to be heard, which is the true essence of democracy. "Bengaluru's civic activism and participation may have declined over the years, but it remains strong, and mobilisation must improve," he added.

Environmentalist A.N. Yellappa Reddy, who was at the forefront of opposition to the Bill, said this was a lesson for bureaucrats, technocrats, and government advisors, who should be attentive to public opinion and act in citizens' interest.

Civic groups demand tunnel project be scrapped

Following the withdrawal, civic groups have now stepped up their demand for the controversial tunnel road project itself to be scrapped. "The tunnel road projects - both short tunnel and the North-South and East-West Corridors - need to be scrapped. Our fight will continue on that front," Mr. Mukunda said.

Mr. Surya said the fight was not over yet. "Until the disastrous tunnel road project is officially dropped, neither Lalbagh nor the ancient Peninsular Gneiss Rock is safe," he said.

Source: The Hindu