Despite blanket ban, illegal hoardings, cutouts and flexes thrive in Bengaluru

In July 2024, BBMP said to have removed 8,500 unauthorised flexes and banners, and registered 180 FIRs. In August 2023, after HC directed the BBMP, the civic body had removed 59,000 flexes. The BBMP had even slapped ₹50,000 fine on Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar for allegedly erecting an illegal banner outside the KPCC office. However, action of this scale seems to be not visible in the last three months, said Mallikarjun, an activist who has been fighting against illegal hoardings for many years, adding that the BBMP springs to action only when pulled up.

Efforts by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to implement the zero-flex policy in the city are not yielding results on the ground. Flexes, cut-outs and banners continue to frequently reappear in many parts of the city during festivals, political events, private celebrations and other occasions. 

Erecting them is banned since 2018 after the Karnataka High Court verdict on the same. The HC, on a few occasions, rapped the BBMP for its failure to implement its order, the latest being in July 2024. The BBMP, along with Bengaluru City Police, had also chalked out a plan of action to crack down on illegal flexes and hoardings.

A few days ago, a cut-out of former BJP councillor N.R. Ramesh was put up for his birthday at Shastri Nagar in Banashankari near his residence. Ironically, Mr. Ramesh is often seen raising objections to illegalities in the BBMP. Recently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the head office of the civic body based on his complaint pertaining to alleged irregularities in drilling borewells and installing reverse osmosis plants in five zones. 

Mr. Ramesh told The Hindu that the cutouts are the work of his fans. “As they admire me, the cut-out was erected. It will be removed,” he added. 

The practice seems rampant in many parts of the city, particularly during festivals, political events and private celebrations. Many flexes have resurfaced for Sankrathi and the upcoming Republic Day, including of MLAs M. Krishnappa and Priya Krishna in Vijayanagar and Govindraj Nagar Assembly constituencies, respectively, and of of former MLA and president of Karnataka State Mahila Congress, Sowmya Reddy in Jayanagar Assembly constituency, among others.

Sudarshan Yadav, a resident of J.P. Nagar, said reappearance flexes, banners is not uncommon. “It is the usual state of affairs. The political leaders want their fans to put up flexes, and they enjoy this display,” he said.

A senior BBMP official, while admitting that flexes do appear during these occasions, said civic workers immediately remove them. “As soon as we receive complaints from the general public, we remove them. We have strict direction from BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath to implement the ban.”