Here is a classic example of how, in the process of solving one problem, more are created. Commuters from South Bengaluru were stuck on the roads for over an hour as Congress workers protested against the filthy condition the city has been in for the past week. The congestion around Minerva Junction on J.C. Road, where the protest was held on Tuesday morning, stretched to central parts of the city with a trail of vehicles stranded on K.G. Road, Nrupatunga Road, Mysore Road (near Town Hall) and Majestic. Buses were delayed stranding commuters.
As eminent citizen Dr Ashwin Mahesh pointed out, issues that are troubling the Opposition should be debated in the legislature and not on the roads. “The police have to find a suitable place to organise rallies. They cannot give permission for such rallies. The other wing of the police then blames the rally for causing traffic congestion. Open up public places in Bengaluru for rallies,” he said. Mr R. K. Misra, a member of ABIDe, advocates dedicated locations for holding rallies. “We have Palace Grounds, Banappa Park, Freedom Park and many open spaces in the middle of the city. There is no point in holding rallies that disrupt the traffic movement in a city like Bengaluru,” Mr Mishra said.
But Congress leader and MLA, Krishna Bhyre Gowda feels that the protest was necessary to draw the attention of the government, which has failed to keep the city clean. “I agree there was traffic congestion. But when the cause is genuine we as a responsible Opposition can use the democratic power to protest for injustice,” Mr Gowda declared.