AAP Protests Chandigarh Administration’s Decision to Impose Entry Fee at Botanical Garden; Demands Withdrawal of Decision Effective November 1

By 121 News

Chandigarh, Oct. 25, 2026:--The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today staged a strong protest at the entrance of Chandigarh’s Botanical Garden against the Administration’s decision to impose an entry fee from November 1. The party demanded the immediate withdrawal of the decision and urged the authorities to keep the garden free for everyone, as it has been in the past. AAP warned that if its demand was not met, it would march towards the Governor House.

Party office-bearers, councillors and workers participated in large numbers. Holding placards, the protesters raised slogans against the Administration’s decision and demanded that the garden remain free for the public. Several local residents also joined the protest in support of the demand.

The party stated that the Botanical Garden was developed on land belonging to Chandigarh’s surrounding villages, which was given with the objective of maintaining a healthy city, providing people with a place to walk and exercise, and preserving a clean environment. AAP argued that charging people to access a facility developed on land donated for public welfare was unjust. The party maintained that the Botanical Garden serves as an important public space where residents can enjoy morning and evening walks and a clean environment, and imposing an entry fee would be unfair to ordinary citizens.

Ward No. 1 Councillor Jaswinder Kaur said that this park has been developed on the land of our ancestors. People from Khuda Lahora, Jassu, Sarangpur and Dhanas come here to improve their health. Residents also visit the garden in the evenings for walks, which benefits their health. This is the only park available to the surrounding villages. If an entry fee is imposed here as well, where will the villagers go? Every sector has its own park, yet no entry fee is charged there. We appeal to the Administration not to impose any fee at the Botanical Garden.

AAP Chandigarh President Vijaypal said that the party would seek an appointment on October 26 and submit a memorandum to the Commissioner, demanding the withdrawal of the entry fee. He warned that if the decision is not withdrawn, we will march towards the Governor House.

AAP’s Key Demands

- The decision to impose an entry fee must be withdrawn immediately.

- The Botanical Garden must remain free for the general public, as before.

- Residents of the surrounding villages must not be deprived of access to a facility that supports their health and provides space for walking and exercise.

Vijaypal (President, AAP Chandigarh), Sunny Aulakh (General Secretary), Kuldeep Kumar (Mayor), Hardeep Singh (Leader of the Opposition), Councillor Jasbir Singh Laddi, Councillor Jaswinder Kaur, Gurdev Yadav (Vice-President), Jagpal Singh Jagga (Rural President), Deepa Dubey, Gurmeet Rana, Happy, Avtar, Roshan, Dildar Singh, Sunny Bairwa, Devak Soni (Youth President) and Monty (Senior Vice-President) were present on the occasion.