CIVIC Bangalore

07/05/2026

My article, with Asha Kilaru as co-author, on the Draft Right to Health Bill of the Karnataka government, has appeared as lead article in today's Deccan Herald, exposing the long way the State still has to go to ensure Right to Health for all.

Health policy: Karnataka’s draft Right to Health Bill raises concerns over funding, infrastructure and regulation, as experts warn gaps in universal care, accountability and standards could weaken access to affordable healthcare

26/04/2026

CIVIC participated in the mega protest against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls (SIR) in Karnataka by a coalition of several organisations at Freedom Park on 23rd April 2026.

19/04/2026

My interview by Janashakti media on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls (SIR) recorded on 14th April 2026, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's day. Interviewer K. S. Vimala.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1519007103164068

17/04/2026

At the Press Club of Bengaluru yesterday, key voices from civil society came together to raise concerns over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Seated at the center, Kathyayini Chamaraj, Executive Trustee of CIVIC Bangalore, addressed the media alongside Trilochan Sastry (left), founding member of the Association for Democratic Reforms, and M F Pasha (right) from Forum for Democracy and Communal Amity – Karnataka.

The speakers highlighted serious issues with voter deletions, lack of transparency, and the shifting burden of proof onto citizens, urging the government to halt SIR until the 2027 Census and adopt a more inclusive, ground-level verification process.

[Bengaluru civic issues, electoral roll revision, SIR Karnataka, voter deletion India, election transparency, civil society India, democracy India, voter rights, census 2027 India, governance Bengaluru, public policy India, ADR India, CIVIC Bangalore, FDCA Karnataka, election reforms India]

10/04/2026

Marking April Fool’s Day with a sharp message, citizens across Bengaluru staged a coordinated ‘SCREAM’ against what they termed “foolish projects” such as the Tunnel Road Project for private vehicles from Hebbal to Silk Board. CIVIC participated along with Greenpeace India in a 'SCREAM" at the 3-billion-year-old iconic Lalbagh Rock under which the Tunnel Road will go.

10/04/2026

Bengaluru’s ₹20,000+ crore budget is more than just numbers it’s about priorities, power, and who gets heard ⚖️💰 From stark spending disparities across zones to funds being diverted toward mega-projects, the new 5-corporation system raises a critical question: are local needs being sidelined? 🏙️

With no elected council since 2020, decisions shaping Bengaluru are being made without direct citizen representation 🏛️ As elections approach, this isn’t just a policy debate it’s about reclaiming accountability and ensuring the city is built for its people, not just projects 🗳️
[bangalore budget, bengaluru governance, GBA elections, municipal finance, urban inequality, civic participation, public policy india, local governance, taxation, infrastructure debate]

07/04/2026

CIVIC participated in a 5-day conclave on Electoral Reforms, led by Prof. Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan, Anjali Bharadwaj, Amrita Johri, etc., from 26th to 30th April 2026, at Sambhaavana Institute in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh to frame an Action Plan and Way Forward on Electoral Reforms.

03/04/2026

Mega-projects vs. Street-level reality. 🚧
The latest budget reveals a city at a crossroads. While “Brand Bengaluru” pushes for world-class infrastructure like the ₹500 Cr Skydeck and massive tunnel networks, the spending on local lake revival and public health remains a fraction of the total outlay.
With Bengaluru now split into 5 zones, decentralization is the goal—but will it lead to better roads and clinics for you?
Check out the breakdown of the ₹20,217 Cr budget and tell us: What should be the #1 priority for the new GBA?
KarnatakaPolitics CivicEngagement

20/03/2026

The State government needs to reject the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and ask for alternative measures for determining citizenship, and for having clean and accurate electoral rolls so that no genuine citizen is disenfranchised. CIVIC met Mr. Rizwan Arshad, MLA Shivajinagar, on 18th March 26 and gave him our memorandum suggesting the alternatives to SIR and urged him to discuss the suggestions with the CM and other MLAs.

17/03/2026

My opinion piece on Karnataka's State budget 2026-27 in Prajavani of 07.03.2026