Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said the State government will review the conduct of the Open Street Festival if public opinion was against holding such events. The festival, held last Saturday as part of Dasara, was marred by incidents of harassment of women including alleged molestation, and stalking.
Speaking to reporters, he expressed regret on behalf of the State government for the instances of harassment at the event held on Krishnaraja Boulevard. Mr. Kumaraswamy said that he had directed the police to take precautions in future to prevent recurrence of such incidents. The huge turnout at the festival, estimated to be more than a lakh, was not expected.
When questioned about the need for adding new events like the Open Street Festival, he said the government would review the need to hold the event if the public opinion was against it.
However, Minister for Tourism S.R. Mahesh, said the government included the festival as it was held last year too. It was to allow local artisans, traders and cottage industries, who are unable to pay and book stalls at the Dasara exhibition, an opportunity to showcase and sell their wares. Unlike the Dasara exhibition, which attracts 15,000 people a day, the Open Street Festival had drawn more than 1.25 lakh people in a day, Mr. Mahesh said.
