Horticulture department intervenes and halts Secret Santa gathering at Cubbon Park

Bengaluru: Horticulture authorities intervened and cancelled a Secret Santa ‘book exchange’ celebration at Cubbon Park on Saturday because the organisers had not taken prior permission for the large gathering. The group members were allegedly asked to pay a fine of Rs 35,000 and threatened with an FIR before being let off with a written apology.

While the authorities say the footfall was over 1,000, the group claims it was roughly 500, also adding that they hadn’t anticipated such a big turnout. People in their 20s had converged near Band Stand to gift books to each other, in response to an online call by Cubbon Reads, a popular free silent reading community that meets at Cubbon Park on weekends.

Kusuma G, Deputy Director of Horticulture, Cubbon Park, told DH that any gathering of more than 20 people at the Park requires prior permission from the department, which the group had not obtained. She said they were also shouting, and carrying plastic covers.

To hold 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, she added. The nature of the event also matters. She said, "Marathons, walkathons, yoga sessions, and book readings are allowed, but we do not permit events like religious activities."

Kusuma said if a large group assembles without permission, they have to involve the police.

Two curators of Cubbon Reads spoke to DH anonymously. They said they were unaware of such a rule, especially since last year’s Secret Santa book exchange at the Park, attended by around 200 people, "went smoothly".

They said they were "shocked" by the authorities’ response, rather than the rule itself, acknowledging the concerns about crowding. One said, “They confiscated about 30 books. Two volunteers were taken to the horticulture office on the premises and asked to pay a fine of Rs 35,000. They were threatened with an FIR. They were bullied for not knowing Kannada. Two readers joined them later to help out with Kannada. They were asked to unwrap a book as they suspected it to contain unlawful things. They had earlier mentioned drug-related incidents. It seemed like they had a problem with youngsters, not the event.”

Another curator said the “tonality and behaviour” of the authorities changed once a lawyer worked his network and spoke to a “top-level officer”. The confiscated books were returned.

In response to a clip posted by Cubbon Reads on Instagram, their followers described the incident as dystopian, and contrary to the spirit of public parks.