BENGALURU: “If protecting Lalbagh is a crime, I am ready to commit this crime every single day,” BJP MP Tejasvi Surya declared on Sunday as thousands of Bengaluru residents, walkers, environmentalists and political leaders marched through the iconic botanical garden to protest against the proposed tunnel road project and a new law allowing up to 5% of park land to be used for public infrastructure projects.The protest, titled “Walk in Lalbagh. Walk for Lalbagh,” brought together citizen groups, resident welfare associations (RWAs), senior citizens and children. Environmentalist and Lalbagh and Cubbon Park Expert Committee chief adviser AN Yellappa Reddy led the walk, which was joined by Union minister Shobha Karandlaje, BJP MPs Tejasvi Surya, CN Manjunath and PC Mohan, legislators and members of several civic and pro-Kannada organisations.The protesters are opposing the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which allows the state government to divert up to 5% of park land for public utility and infrastructure projects. The amendment to the 1975 law governing Bengaluru’s major green spaces, including Lalbagh and Cubbon Park, was passed by both Houses of the state legislature last week.The issue has gained particular significance because of the proposed 17-km tunnel road linking Hebbal and Central Silk Board. According to sources, the project could require around six acres of Lalbagh land temporarily and about one acre permanently.Surya said the protesters had two clear demands: withdrawal of the amendment and scrapping of the tunnel road project. He claimed that between 5,000 and 6,000 people had gathered at Lalbagh to oppose the proposals.“If protecting Lalbagh and our parks is a crime and if you think this warrants a notice, we will commit this crime every day,” Surya said, referring to reports that authorities had issued notices over the gathering.He warned that protests would spread if the government did not withdraw its proposal to divert park land. “We will organise a public movement; this is just the beginning,” he said, adding that similar agitations would be held in parks and gardens across Karnataka.The Bengaluru South MP argued that infrastructure development should focus on expanding public transport, including Metro and suburban rail networks, rather than acquiring portions of the city’s parks.Karandlaje accused the DK Shivakumar-led administration of being a “real estate government” and said Bengaluru needed more green spaces, not fewer.“We are not opposed to development, but use other land for projects. Don’t eye parks and lake areas for it,” she said, adding that the opposition had urged the governor to return the Bill and could approach the President if required.CN Manjunath, the Bangalore Rural MP, said the amendment went against the purpose of the Karnataka Parks (Preservation) Act. He claimed Bengaluru required at least 30,000 acres of parks but currently had only around 3,000 acres.PC Mohan, the Bangalore Central MP, described the amendment as “draconian” and alleged that it had been passed without adequate discussion. He linked the move to the proposed tunnel road project and warned that the 5% ceiling could be increased in the future.The amendment permits the government to alienate up to 5% of the total park area through sale, lease, gift, exchange, mortgage or other means for projects undertaken by government departments, statutory authorities, government companies or local bodies.The legislation also provides for an evaluation mechanism headed by the additional chief secretary, along with designated officers and domain experts, to examine proposals before recommendations are made to the state government. It specifies that the 5% ceiling will include park land already alienated.During Sunday’s protest, participants marched from Lalbagh’s West Gate to the Lalbagh Rock, with many raising slogans against the tunnel road and the amendment. Citizens later lay on and hugged the iconic rock in a symbolic demonstration.Protesters said Lalbagh, which is home to the ancient Peninsular Gneiss rock formation estimated to be around three billion years old, was an ecological and geological heritage site that could not be replaced once damaged.“Development can be redesigned. Roads can be realigned. Buildings can be relocated. But once a city’s ecological heritage is destroyed, it cannot simply be rebuilt,” activist Sajjan Raj Mehta said.The campaign also saw citizens write postcards to chief minister DK Shivakumar, urging him to drop the tunnel road project. Protesters signed large boards carrying messages calling for Lalbagh’s protection, while organisers said they would intensify their campaign across the city in the coming days.The Lalbagh march, Surya said, was only the beginning of a wider movement against what protesters fear could open Bengaluru’s shrinking green spaces to infrastructure and development projects.
