Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 25: For the first time in history, the public will be allowed to view the Assembly Hall of Vidhana Soudha. The guided tour of Vidhana Soudha was officially launched on Sunday, May 25, by the Tourism department and the department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms.
Speaking at the event, tourism minister H K Patil said, “The guided tour is being launched after a lot of thought. From today, the Vidhana Soudha building is open for public visits. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, a true temple of democracy. This initiative is meant to give the opportunity to enthusiasts, students, and the general public to witness and learn from it.”
Representational image
He added, “The guided tour is not a pleasure trip. Those who come here must gain knowledge, get inspired to pursue their dreams, and develop the spirit to strengthen democracy. This should not be a casual visit. People should not come here just to say ‘let’s take a round and see’, that is not the idea.”
Council chairperson Basavaraj Horatti, who also spoke at the event, recalled a personal incident. “When we were students, we once came to see Vidhana Soudha. We asked for a pass, but they refused. They said, ‘What proof do you have that you are Basavaraj Horatti?’ They asked for an identity card, but I didn’t have one. So they didn’t issue a pass. Later, I had to get the pass through someone else to see Vidhana Soudha. Back then, only MLAs were allowed entry.”
He also shared that there are plans to start a political college to encourage the academic study of politics. “We had once organised a book fair inside Vidhana Soudha and allowed the public in. But many people opposed it. Still, our goal is to let everyone know about Vidhana Soudha. We are planning to set up a political study college. We will discuss this with the chief minister. The children who visit now will attend programmes, but eventually, they will be able to learn what politics truly means,” Horatti said.
Starting June 1, entry fee fixed at Rs 50
The Vidhana Soudha guided tour will begin on June 1. A fee of Rs 50 has been fixed for adults aged 16 and above. Children below 15 years will be allowed free entry. Tours will be available every Sunday and on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. The visiting hours are from 8 am to 5 pm.
Interested visitors must book online through KSTDC. Each group will consist of 30 persons, and each guided tour will last for 90 minutes. A maximum of 300 visitors per day will be allowed entry.
Guided information will be provided in both Kannada and English, and entry will be through Gate Number 3 of Vidhana Soudha.