Freedom Habba turns Vidhana Soudha into people’s festival

Chief Minister D K Shivakumar led the first Freedom Habba at Vidhana Soudha on Saturday, marking the 80th Independence Day with a public celebration that drew nearly 18,000 registered visitors from across Karnataka. The CM walked before the state legislature with the Tricolour draped over his shoulders, joined by nurses, women's committee members and waste pickers' representatives.

Visitors explored guided tours of the Assembly Hall and the building, which are usually off-limits to the public. Cultural performances, a Freedom Parade, exhibitions and a children's village with storytelling and quizzes turned the event into a family affair. "Vidhana Soudha was Jana Soudha for the day," said V Ravichandar, a civic evangelist and volunteer.

Police deployed over 200 personnel for security, and city police commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh monitored the arrangements. Entry was closed by 5 pm, and some who had not registered were turned away. Visitors expressed satisfaction with crowd management, and many urged the government to make Freedom Habba an annual event.