Visitors call for Vidhana Soudha to be more accessible to public

Bengaluru: Devasthanagalalli bidthare, Vidhana Soudha bidalla” (People are allowed in temples, but not the Vidhana Soudha), said Guru, a government officer, while describing his visit to the book fair here on Sunday. “I had brought my wife for the first time, and we would love to come here for such events again.” Once a vibrant hub for the public and tourists, the Vidhana Soudha has gradually become restricted due to security concerns.

Layers of surveillance, fencing, and police checks have turned the iconic structure into an exclusive domain for politicians and bureaucrats. Like Guru, several other visitors at the book fair, organised by the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, shared similar sentiments with News Trail, reminiscing about a time when the Soudha was a place for families to visit and make memories. “The fact that this book fair is being held at the Vidhana Soudha excites us. For us, the Soudha is like a temple. It would be wonderful to have events like these twice a year,” said one visitor, adding that for a Kannadiga, visiting the Vidhana Soudha is a matter of pride.

The book fair is set to conclude on Monday, 3 March. However, the enthusiastic response from visitors suggests a strong demand for similar events in the future. “The crowd turnout was unexpectedly high. However, the stalls were too cramped, making it difficult to browse. I wanted to buy more books, but the lack of space put me off,” said Raghavendra, who had travelled from Mangaluru to get his hands on the latest releases. “We had no idea so many publishers were exhibiting quality works,” he added. Rathnakumar, who works in an educational institution, suggested that the government should consider opening the Vidhana Soudha to the public on special occasions and holidays. “After all, it is the people who elect the representatives working inside this very building,” he pointed out.

Mytri Ramakrishna, a psychology researcher, noted that the unique charm of the event was tied to its venue. “If this book fair had been held anywhere else, it wouldn’t have had the same ‘zen’ factor. However, the stalls need to be more spacious. I hope the state government considers hosting more public events here,” he added.