Not many are aware that Chikka lalbagh, also called Tulasi Thota , located opposite the Majestic bus stand, served as the starting point for agitations during India's struggle for independence. But rather than being preserved in honour of its historical past, the park is today battling to survive .
After losing almost 75 per cent of its land and around 80 trees to the Majestic Metro Rail Station, the park is now home to mainly stray dogs with nothing to remind visitors that it was once a hub of the freedom movement in the city. People come to the park to feed the stray dogs and the pigeons and leave quickly as it is not fit to relax in or even take a small walk.
Recalls historian, Suresh Moona, "Almost all agitations during the Independence movement began at Chikka Lalbagh in the city. It got its name Tulasi Thotta from the tulasi garden that supplied the aromatic plant to the nearby Sri Prasanna Krishna Swamy Temple.
The Quit India Movement began in Bengaluru from the park. Factory workers participating in the movement took out a rally from it and going round the Dharmabuddhi Kere (present Majestic and City Railway Station) congregated for the speeches.”
In his view the BMRCL should not have been allowed to take over a major portion of the park considering its historical significance. "If people were aware of the park’s historical significance they would not have let this happen," he adds, lamenting the failure of the government to give places of historical significance their due and protect them for posterity.
Mr Moona believes Chikkalalbagh should be developed as a theme park on the lines of the former Central Jail, which was remodelled as a Freedom Park.
While Mayor Sampath Raj agrees that the park has been neglected, he says the BBMP does have plans to develop it. "The BMRCL paid the BBMP Rs 1 crore to develop the park. Using the money we will draw up a plan to remodel and safeguard it on the lines of the Freedom Park given its historical importance," he assures.
