Minsk Sq runs risk of turning venue for political meets

Will Minsk Square or the Cubbon Park corner be a new sought-after venue for political meetings, protests or campaigns is the question doing rounds in the city after the AICC president Rahul Gandhi held an interaction with the former HAL employees.

Rahul Gandhi showed the way by addressing a gathering of retired HAL employees on Friday. The question was certainly lingering in the minds of the members of Cubbon Park Walkers’ Association who took objection to such a meeting that could pave way for other meetings, posing a threat to serene environs of the city’s major lung space.

The organisers, KPCC, had taken permission from the BBMP and the DCP for security and traffic arrangement, but did not involve Horticulture department or the Cubbon Park Walker’s Association, who are working towards preserving the green space of the central business district.

“Rahul Gandhi has shown the way for others to make Minsk Square a venue for political or protest meetings in future,” says S Umesh, advocate and president, Cubbon Park Walkers’ Association.

“When there are other places such as Kanteerava Stadium, Chinnaswamy Stadium, Freedom Park, I am not clear why Minsk Square was chosen for such a meeting,” he wondered.

Politicians should think of preserving environment on priority. They should be aware of the requirements of a particular venue, how much parking space needs to be arranged for their convoy, security personnel vehicle.

“One should take public opinion before conducting such political meetings in the future as it could have adverse effects on the park’s flora and fauna,” Umesh added.