Mysuru's Grassroots Democracy Initiative Confronts Public Apathy
In Karnataka, a persistent demand from civic activists has been the robust implementation of Area Sabhas across all wards of city corporations, aligning with the foundational principles of the 74th Constitutional Amendment. The core objective is to fortify grassroots democracy by embedding transparency, accountability, and direct public involvement into the fabric of civic administration. However, in Mysuru, the citizen response has been markedly discouraging, casting a shadow over these democratic aspirations.
Alarmingly Low Turnout at Monthly Meetings
Monthly Area Sabha meetings, organized diligently by activists and stakeholders, have been met with minimal public attendance, sparking serious concerns about widespread apathy towards neighborhood governance. Activists fear that if this indifference persists, the very essence of the constitutional amendment could be rendered ineffective. Malavika Gubbivani, an activist leading the charge under the Ward Samili Balaga banner, expressed deep disappointment over the participation levels observed in several wards.
"In Gokulam Ward 6, we typically see about 10 to 15 participants. Vijayanagara Ward 20 records an even lower figure, with approximately 7 to 8 attendees. The response has been even more dismal in wards such as Ramakrishnanagara (58), Kuvempunagar (57), Dattagalli (46), Jayalakshmipuram (19), Mahadeshwara Layout (3), and Sharadadevi Nagar (45)," Gubbivani detailed. To combat this lack of engagement, her group has undertaken an extensive awareness campaign, staging 42 street plays to underscore the critical importance of citizen participation in Area Sabhas.
Sustained Efforts Meet Persistent Disinterest
"Despite our relentless efforts, people are simply not showing up. It is noteworthy that officials from the Mysuru City Corporation and various departments do attend these meetings to listen to grievances. The real and formidable challenge lies in motivating residents to actively participate," Gubbivani emphasized. She highlighted that several pressing civic issues have been successfully resolved through these forums, proving their practical effectiveness. "Even after witnessing tangible results, public interest remains stubbornly low," she observed with concern.
The scenario is similarly bleak in the upscale Yadavagiri ward. Bhamy V Shenoy, a participant in the monthly Area Sabha meetings there, confirmed that participation numbers are far from encouraging. "If citizens continue to display such disinterest, the fundamental purpose of the 74th Constitutional Amendment will inevitably fail," he warned, echoing the sentiments of fellow activists.
The Core Challenge: Ensuring Sustained Public Engagement
Activists across Mysuru assert that the Area Sabha framework is ingeniously designed to address local problems with efficiency and precision. However, they unanimously identify sustained public engagement as the paramount hurdle. The initiative's success hinges not just on institutional support but on a vibrant, participatory citizenry. Without active resident involvement, the vision of a transparent and accountable grassroots democracy remains at risk, underscoring an urgent need for renewed community mobilization and awareness drives to reinvigorate this crucial democratic process.
