Bengaluru: Days after the Karnataka chief minister indicated a relook at the 5% park land bill, the state cabinet Thursday decided to withdraw the controversial move following citizen backlash over its provision. This marks the first major policy reset since DK Shivakumar took office four months ago.Besides citizens, environmental groups and opposition parties also staged protests against the govt at Lalbagh and other parks in the city over the past fortnight, calling the move a direct assault on Karnataka’s green reserve.The Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed by both houses of the legislature in late August, authorised the horticulture department to sell, lease, gift, exchange or mortgage park land in favour of any govt department, statutory authority, govt company or local authority. Such land could account for up to 5% of a park’s total area and be used for public purposes.Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara announced the decision to recall the bill after the cabinet meeting. He said the govt would reintroduce the bill in the next legislative session after “modifying” it based on suggestions from the public and other stakeholders.He made it clear the proposal is not being abandoned permanently. “The bill will return in a different form,” he said.Parameshwara alleged that opposition parties did not participate in the discussion when Houses took up the bill. However, he said they later used the issue for political purposes and spread “false information” among the public.“As the public opposed the bill, we have decided to withdraw it. We’ll place the bill in the public domain and allow people to share their views and suggestions,” Parameshwara said.The deputy CM said that the govt had not sent the bill to the governor for his approval, adding that the govt has the provision to withdraw a bill passed by the legislature. “We need to inform the governor, and we will do so,” he said.Sources in Congress claimed a few Bengaluru legislators and leaders had petitioned party leader Rahul Gandhi over the backlash due to the bill. This, they said, may have prompted the govt to withdraw the bill without losing much time.LIKELY OPTIONS* As indicated by CM, govt to hold wide-ranging consultations on next move* They may reduce the scope of the bill, restrict it to a few parks* They may cut the extent of land from 5%, while keeping larger interest of green coverageQUOTEOur govt has always respected people’s sentiments, and withdrawal of the bill reflects this. People are ultimate judges. It is our resolve to honestly place our intentions before the court of public opinion and move forward with the people’s trustDK Shivakumar | chief ministerU-TURN IN 14 DAYSAug 21: Cabinet clears Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill 2026Aug 22: BJP says it’s to help North-South tunnel road construction through LalbaghAug 25: Bill passed amid dinAug 26: CM says bill won’t hurt LalbaghAug 30: Thousands converge on Lalbagh to oppose billSept 1: CM announces bill will be reintroduced in Nov-Dec session for debateSept 3: Cabinet withdraws bill; tweaked legislation soon
