New Delhi: The horticulture department stopped a ‘Secret Santa’ book exchange celebration at Bengaluru’s Cubbon Park because the group had not sought permission before the event. The organisers were reportedly asked to pay Rs 35,000 as fine and threatened with an FIR, before they were let off on submitting a written apology.
As per the officials, any gathering with more than 20 people at Cubbon Park requires prior permission from authorities. According to an official quoted by The Times of India, “Cubbon Park is a public space but the department invests a lot of money in maintaining the flora and fauna every single day. With large gatherings and events, there are concerns over the lawn area and safety issues. Hence, we are making it a point that any gathering of more than 20 people must have prior permission.”
According to a report by Deccan Herald, authorities said that the book exchange event had a footfall of more than 1,000, while organisers said it was around 500.
Kusuma G, deputy director of horticulture, Cubbon Park, told DH that to hold any events, “a fee of Rs 30,000 and a security deposit of Rs 20,000 must be paid, regardless of whether they are free or non-commercial”. This, she added, applied to “marathons, walkathons, yoga sessions and book reading”, while “religious activities” are not permitted.
She also told the newspaper that the attendees were shouting and carrying plastic covers.
Cubbon Reads, the curators of the event, in an Instagram post, said, “Our experience yesterday has scarred us more than scared us, and we have been overwhelmed by the support from the whole of Bangalore and beyond. Besides support, what really stumped us are stories of harassment by the Cubbon Park authorities during peaceful and lawful gatherings that came our way.”
“They have bullied and kicked out not just readers but so many other well-meaning groups: a group of botanists, group coming to study mushrooms, birders, dancers, designers…and even run clubs,” they added.
Speaking to DH, a member of Cubbon Reads said that they were not aware of any such rule of a prior permission, especially because last year’s Secret Santa book exchange at the Park, attended by around 200 people, “went smoothly”.
Cubbon Park is a popular Sunday reading spot in Bengaluru with free entry. Similar book reading and book exchange events are often organised there.