Secret Santa is just not non secular: Cubbon Reads refutes park authorities allegations | Bangalore Information

Since March 2023, each Saturday, between 9am and 2pm, individuals drop in with a mat and e book, becoming a member of others already there, and browse. The neighborhood, based by Harsh Shehanshu and Shruti Sah, known as themselves Cubbon Reads.

It has spawned not solely many studying teams in different parks of Bengaluru, comparable to Lalbagh Reads, but additionally communities comparable to Cubbon Paints and Cubbon Runs. The e book studying motion unfold to different cities, as nicely – Juhu Reads in Mumbai and Lodhi Reads in Delhi. In line with the data supplied at its social media platforms, the motion has gone international and has now reached 70-plus cities.

With Christmas not far away, for his or her a hundred and first version, Cubbon Reads organisers had invited individuals to return with a wrapped e book to take part within the Secret Santa e book trade. However horticulture authorities intervened considering they had been promoting the books. The heated trade ended with the authorities strolling away with the wrapped books.

“As is customary throughout our meet-ups each Saturday, there was nothing extraordinary than our traditional editions, other than the books being reward wrapped,” stated the organisers of their press word.

The neighborhood organisers additionally refuted the allegations that over 1,000 individuals had gathered on December 21.

“We have now documentary proof that the final numbered e book was 351 as we counted the gift-wrapped books there. Assuming some extra individuals visiting the park joined in to see what was happening, at max there have been 450 odd individuals, which is common for Cubbon Reads,” said the press launch.

The organisers alleged that the authorities first took two of their curators to the Division of Horticulture workplace.

“The division officers had been hostile and thought that Cubbon Reads was promoting books to the general public and utilizing a public area to become profitable. The safety guards there have been speaking about imposing fines from anyplace between Rs 25,000 and Rs 60,000,” in line with the press word.

The incident has sparked an enormous debate on social media, with many standing up for the motion that marked Cubbon Park as town’s favorite studying spot since March 2023.

Former Infosys CFO, T V Mohandas Pai chipped in together with his expertise on the park, saying that the guards are impolite and push residents round.

Tagging deputy Chief Minister D Okay Shivakumar, Pai stated “Cubbon Park officers shouldn’t harass residents who’re quietly having fun with their park. I used to be abused too when strolling,” on his X account. He additionally suggested the deputy chief minister to instruct officers to not harass residents.

BJP LS MP for Bangalore Central PC Mohan, who had additionally beforehand posted in regards to the Cubbon Reads in June 2023, congratulating the initiative, additionally spoke up for the neighborhood.

“The Cubbon Park incident highlights the necessity for steadiness between neighborhood occasions and regulatory tasks. Public areas are very important for fostering connection, however organisers should guarantee correct permissions and accountability. Officers, too, ought to act with professionalism,” he posted on X on Tuesday.

By the way, Lalbagh Reads too had a run-in with authorities in September final 12 months. In line with information experiences, the horticulture division issued a directive to halt the studying membership inside Lalbagh Botanical Backyard, stating that mats on grass tamper with the expansion of pure fauna and flora.