Save Cubbon Park Campaign

                                                         

                                                                                                30 January 1999

PRESS RELEASE

 

Citizens renew Cubbon Park Protest: Seek Governor’s intervention in calling a Public Hearing

 

The protest against the Government’s callous and contemptuous attitude with regard to the Cubbon Park controversy was very well attended with various citizens’ organisations participating.  Even though the protest was only symbolic on the solemn occasion of Martyr’s day, the protest drew the participation of over 100 citizens, most being children and women.

 

Significantly, the protest was held for an hour at the ongoing illegal construction of the Legislators Home Annexe, with police present in great numbers.

 

Following the protest key representatives of the various organisations walked to the Raj Bhavan to submit a memorandum to His Excellency the Governor of Karnataka.  The Memorandum calls for the Governor’s intervention for a permanent and legal solution in according protection to the most cherished heritage of Bangalore.  This considering the fact that the Government is exploiting the delay in the High Court calling for hearing the Cubbon Park matter, and pushing ahead the construction of the illegal Annexe.

 

It may be recalled that subsequent to the 2nd November 1998 suo moto direction of the High Court staying the de-notification of 45 acres from the Park’s legal limits, it was widely held that the Government must stop the construction in respect of the Court’s direction.

 

The memorandum also highlights that the BWSSB has taken a cue from the Government’s non-compliant attitude of the law and now plans to install a huge Water Reservoir Station in the LRDE part of Cubbon Park and proposes to install a Sewage Treatment Plant within the main park area.  Further, the Horticulture Department has shown no improvement whatsoever in changing their callous attitude towards the maintenance of this heritage Park.

 

Presenting the memorandum to Mr. Seetharam, ADC to the Governor, the representatives sought a meeting with Mr. Khurshid Alam Khan next week.  They have also proposed that the Governor call a Public Hearing to settle the ongoing dispute permanently.

 

The protest was attended by representatives of Sanmathi (the women’s group who lead last year’s landmark protest), Vijayanagar Tax Payers Association, R. P. C. Layout Citizens Association, Environment Support Group (who have impleaded in the Cubbon Park case), Grahak Shakti, and Community Unlimited Plus Action.

 

 

Leo F. Saldanha

for Save Cubbon Park Campaign