Tejasvi Surya calls for ‘Save Lalbagh’ campaign against govt’s 5 pc parkland rule

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya has called on people to join a walk to save Bengaluru’s expansive green cover, Lalbagh, on Sunday (August 30).

The campaign, called ‘Walk in Lalbagh, Walk for Lalbagh’, comes days after the Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed The Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, on August 24.

The 5 per cent amendment

In a post on social media, Surya alleged that the state government was planning to destroy parts of Lalbagh and said the new law would allow up to 5 per cent of park land to be diverted for infrastructure projects or other government purposes.

The amendment gives the government the power to “alienate” up to 5 per cent of the total area of any government park or garden across Karnataka. The land cannot be sold to private developers. Instead, it can be leased, transferred, exchanged or made available to government departments, statutory authorities and local bodies.

Link to tunnel road project

The call for the march is linked to opposition to a proposed infrastructure project that could involve the use of parkland for the upcoming Hebbal-Silk Board tunnel road project.

Also read: 'Save Lalbagh': Bengaluru tunnel road plan sparks protests; MP Surya files PIL in HC

Calling the amendment a direct attack on the city’s green spaces, Surya said 5 per cent of Lalbagh would amount to around 12 acres. “If we simply sit back with our hands tied, this will continue. Today 5 per cent, tomorrow it may become 10 per cent. The day after, it could become 100%,” he said in a video posted on social media.

“To say that we will not give even 1 per cent, not even one inch, we all are gathering near the West Gate at Lalbagh at 7 am on August 30,” he announced.

Appealing to people to join the peaceful march, Surya said several senior citizens would also take part. “We will simply walk inside Lalbagh peacefully, just as we normally do. Please join us,” he said.

‘This is not about BJP or Congress’

Surya stressed that the campaign was not about political affiliations and appealed to supporters of all parties to take part. “This issue is not about BJP or Congress. Even if you are a Congress supporter, please come. If you are a BJP supporter, please come. Even if you don’t support any political party, please come,” he said.

“Because the land we walk on, the air we breathe, and the water we drink, do not discriminate between us based on whether we are BJP or Congress.”

Also read: Iconic Bengaluru theatre Urvashi bids adieu after 56 years

He reiterated that the initiative was non-political and said protecting Bengaluru’s air, water and green spaces was the responsibility of every Bengalurean.

Joining Surya in the walk will be Yellappa Reddy, retired IFS officer and Chief Advisor to the Lalbagh and Cubbon Park Expert Committee.

Why Lalbagh matters

Spread across around 240 acres, Lalbagh Botanical Garden is one of Bengaluru’s most prominent historic green spaces. It was commissioned by Hyder Ali and completed by Tipu Sultan.

The garden is home to nearly 1,800 species of flora and fauna and is known for its bi-annual flower shows held around Independence Day and Republic Day.

Also read: Karnataka Cabinet okays parks law amendment bill, BJP cries ‘war on green spaces’

The amendment has already triggered opposition from citizens and civil society groups. Following its passage, more than 200 people and members of civil society groups gathered at Lalbagh to protest against the changes to the parks law.

They formed a human chain around Lalbagh Rock to highlight the need to protect Bengaluru’s green spaces as public assets.