After citizens, it was the turn of the opposition BJP to stage a protest against the lack of intervention by the government in containing pollution in Bellandur and Varthur lakes. Images of toxic foam emanating from the two lakes, one of which even caught fire not long ago, have caught international attention in the recent past.

They took a rally from Bellandur towards Agara. As many as 70 people, including former Minister Aravind Limbavali and Bengaluru Central MP P.C. Mohan, were detained for refusal to heed police’s calls against blocking the road. “Pollution in these lakes has reached levels where it is leading to fires. People living around these lakes are being affected simply by inhaling the toxic gases. But even today, no one from the government has come to talk to us,” said Mahendra Modi from the BJP. The protestors said that the problem would be solved simply by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visiting the lakes.