Using the word ‘Santa’ in a meetup doesn’t make it religious, organizers of ‘Cobbon Reads’ said on Dec. 21 at Cobbon Park’s ‘Secret Santa Saturday’, which ended with park officials confiscating the books. done
One of the reasons given by the authorities for confiscating the books is that ‘no religious activity is allowed inside the park’.
From March 2023, every Saturday, between 9am and 2am, people join others already there with mats and books, and read. Founded by Harsh Shehanshu and Shruti Shah, the community calls itself Kabban Reads.
This has spawned not only many reading groups in other parks in Bengaluru such as Lalbagh Reeds, but also communities such as Cubbon Paints and Cubbon Runs. The book reading movement spread to other cities too – Juhu Reads in Mumbai and Lodhi Reads in Delhi. According to information provided on its social media platforms, the movement has spread globally and has now reached more than 70 cities.
As Christmas approaches, for their 101st edition, Cubbon Reads organizers invite people to bring a wrapped book to participate in the Secret Santa Book Exchange. But the horticulture officials intervened, thinking they were selling books. The heated exchange ended with officers walking away with wrapped books.
“According to our tradition of meeting every Saturday, the books were gift-wrapped, nothing extraordinary than our usual editions,” the organizers said in their press note.
Community organizers also denied allegations that more than 1,000 people gathered on December 21.
“We have documentary evidence that the last numbered book was 351 because we counted the gift-wrapped books there. Assuming that a few other people joined the park to see what was going on, the maximum was 450 people, which is normal for Cubbon Reeds,” the press release said.
The organizers alleged that the authorities had earlier taken their two curators to the Horticulture Department office.
“The department officials were hostile and thought that Cubbon Reads was selling books to the public and using public space to earn money. The security guards there talked about fines ranging from 25,000 to 60,000,” the press note said.
The incident has sparked a huge debate on social media, with many standing up for the movement that will mark Cubbon Park as the city’s favorite reading spot since March 2023.
Former Infosys CFO, TV Mohandas Pai recounts his experience at the park where guards are rude and push citizens around.
Tagging Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Pai said, “Kaban Park officials should not harass citizens who are quietly enjoying their park. I was also abused while walking,” on his X account. He also suggested the Deputy Chief Minister to direct officials not to harass citizens.
BJP LS MP for Bangalore Central PC Mohan, who had earlier also posted about Kabban Reeds in June 2023, congratulating the initiative, also spoke for the community.
“The Cubbon Park event highlights the need for balance between community events and regulatory responsibilities. Public spaces are important to foster connectivity, but organizers must ensure proper permits and accountability. Officials must also act professionally,” he posted on Tuesday X.
Incidentally, Lalbagh Reeds also had a run-in with the authorities in September last year. The horticulture department has directed to stop the reading club inside the Lalbagh Botanical Garden, saying that mats on the grass are affecting the growth of natural fauna and flora.
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