Park amendment bill can be discussed again in the Assembly: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar

CM D.K. Shivakumar said the government would review instances of land being provided for various purposes in Bengaluru, including the land provided from Lalbagh for the Metro. | Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J In what could be read as a note of reconciliation, following protests against the controversial amendment that allows alienation of up to 5% of park and garden land for public infrastructure in Karnataka, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday (September 1, 2026) said the proposal could be reviewed and discussed again in the Karnataka Legislature Assembly. The Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was passed in both Houses of the Legislature on August 24, 2026, amidst Opposition protests over the inclusion of B. Nagendra, accused in the Valmiki Corporation scam into the cabinet, without any discussion.The Bill aims to facilitate the tunnel road project to take over an acre of Lalbagh land, sources said. This has been followed by protests by environmental groups, citizen organisations and Bengaluru BJP MPs. Thousands of citizens gathered at Lalbagh on August 30 to protest against the amendment bill. The Chief Minister said that he would examine and discuss why the proposal to allow the use of 5% of park land was brought in, and also what BJP and other previous governments had done, and which land had been allotted to whom in the past.“I will get the files and we can discuss the matter again in the Legislative Assembly,” he said. He added that the government would also review instances of land being provided for various purposes in Bengaluru, including the land provided from Lalbagh for the Metro. Responding to questions on the protection of park land, Mr. Shivakumar said, “No one needs to worry. I know how to protect the park land. Decision will be in public interest.” Mr. Shivakumar said he was open to suggestions from the Opposition as well as the public.“I am open to the suggestions of the Opposition. I will also consider the suggestions of the public. My intention is not to create any confusion,” he said. Published - September 01, 2026 05:23 pm IST