Bengaluru’s first Freedom Habba draws thousands to Vidhana Soudha

Chief Minister D K Shivakumar joined thousands of citizens at Vidhana Soudha on Saturday for the first-ever Freedom Habba, a carnival-style Independence Day celebration organised by the Karnataka government. Nearly 18,000 people registered for the event, which included a Freedom Parade, cultural performances, guided tours of the Assembly Hall, a 200-foot public art wall, and over 120 stalls selling food, crafts and textiles. The day closed with a concert featuring Raghu Dixit and other musicians.

The event aimed to make Independence Day more participatory, said Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda. Civic evangelist and organiser Ravichandar Venkataraman told the Times of India that the response showed a hunger for more outdoor public space activities. Deccan Herald quoted him saying the festival had the potential to kindle civic pride. Visitors from across Karnataka, including families and children, explored state pavilions and a children's freedom village with storytelling and games.

Metro operations between MG Road and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda stations were disrupted until 10:05 pm due to the crowd. Police deployed over 200 personnel for security and traffic management. Organisers expect Freedom Habba to become an annual fixture on Bengaluru's calendar.