What’s happening in Freedom Park? Bengaluru’s main protest site closed. Bengaluru-News News

Last updated:04 December, 2025, 10:53 IST

Till the work is completed, the park has been completely locked from inside, power supply has been cut and no water facilities are available.

Freedom Park, Bengaluru’s most recognizable public space for protests and civil movements, has been temporarily closed to facilitate infrastructure development. The decision has impacted activists, daily walkers and citizens who regularly use the 22-acre park for public functions, demonstrations and peaceful gatherings.

The closure came into effect this week, blocking public entry from inside the park. As a result, protesters who would normally demonstrate within Freedom Park were forced to gather outside its gates, leading to renewed confusion over permits and crowd management.

Why is Freedom Park closed?

Officials say the closure is related to the development work being carried out by the Greater Bengaluru Authority under the Brand Bengaluru initiative. It aims to upgrade the infrastructure inside the park, specifically infrastructure aimed at supporting those who use the space for protests.

Officials have said the work includes construction of toilets and other essential facilities for protesters, pedestrians and visitors. The estimated cost of this project is around Rs 5 crore and it is being completed at a fast pace to minimize disruption.

Till the work is completed, the park has been completely locked from inside, power supply has been cut and no water facilities are available.

Impact on protesters and activists

Freedom Park has long been recognized as a designated protest zone in Bengaluru, where activists from across Karnataka travel to represent the government. The park is now inaccessible, with protest activity spreading onto surrounding roads and footpaths.

Authorities have reportedly asked police to stop allowing protests not only inside the park but also in the immediate outer areas for at least this week. This has raised concerns among civil rights groups, who argue that restricting both the park and its surroundings limits avenues of peaceful protest.

Many groups have said they were not given clear alternative locations, leaving them uncertain about where they could legally demonstrate during the shutdown.

Walkers and regular visitors affected

The bandh has not only affected the protesters. Freedom Park is also a popular walking and recreation spot, especially for city center residents. Regular walkers say the daily routine has been disrupted by the suddenly imposed restrictions.

Some visitors said the park’s closure has forced them to relocate to busier streets or smaller nearby parks, which are not always accessible or safe. For many, Freedom Park provided a rare open, safe space in a crowded part of the city.

What are the officials saying?

Officials have said the closure is temporary and intended to improve facilities, not restrict public access in the long term. Once the work is complete, they say Freedom Park will reopen for a number of uses, including protests, walking tours, filming and other public activities.

Officials argue that better infrastructure would create a more organized and humane protest environment, especially for those who spend long periods of time in the park during demonstrations.

However, no clear timeline for reopening has been publicly announced yet, leading to uncertainty among users.

A park with civic heritage

Freedom Park is located on the site of the former Central Jail of Bengaluru and, over the years, has become a symbol of democratic expression in the city. From farmers’ movements to student groups, it has served as a space where dissent is visible but controlled.

Because of this legacy, even temporary closures are subject to greater scrutiny than other public parks.

Activists and citizen groups are now urging officials to complete the development work quickly and clearly state the timeline. Many say the infrastructure upgrades are welcome, but a prolonged closure risks eroding the park’s role as a civic space.

Interim arrangements, such as designated alternative protest areas, are also being sought until Freedom Park is fully reopened.

what happens next

Currently, Freedom Park is closed, access is restricted and permissions for protests have been reduced. The coming days will be crucial in determining how fast the development work progresses and whether officials provide clarity on reopening.

Until then, Bengaluru’s primary protest site remains off-limits, leaving activists, pedestrians and civil society groups waiting for the city’s most symbolic public park to reopen.