Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has expressed strong anger over the widespread public nuisance of gutka stains defacing the city of Bengaluru. Her latest outburst was triggered by a video showing tobacco-stained pavements outside the Malleshwaram Metro Station, highlighting a severe lack of civic sense.
Outrage Over Public Filth
Shaw reshared a video originally posted by a user on the social media platform X, which squarely placed the blame on auto-rickshaw drivers for the disgusting tobacco stains. The original post identified the location as outside the Malleshwaram metro station and attributed the mess to the auto walas operating there.
Visibly irked by the visuals, Shaw did not mince her words. She stated that these are "filthy habits that must be called out and hefty fines imposed." This is not an isolated incident for the business leader, who last month also criticized the Bengaluru administration for the city's declining infrastructure and accountability.
A Pattern of Civic Concern
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has been consistently voicing her concerns as a citizen. Following her public criticisms, she even met with Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to discuss a concrete action plan to address key infrastructure bottlenecks plaguing Bengaluru. Her activism has sparked a significant online debate among the city's residents.
Netizens Echo the Frustration
The public reaction to Shaw's post was swift and widespread, with many Bangaloreans sharing their own frustrations. One user pointed out that the problem is not confined to one metro station but is a city-wide issue stemming from bad habits. They lamented the lack of effort from auto unions to educate their members about civic hygiene.
Another netizen suggested a novel solution, proposing that pan and gutka companies should be charged for the cleanup, since they profit from the products that create the mess.
Some criticism was also directed at the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). A user noted that while BMRCL maintains cleanliness inside its stations, the areas outside, including Malleshwaram and Yeshwanthpur stations, are often filthy, creating a stark and unpleasant contrast.
Others observed that the recent dry spell in the city has made the otherwise hidden gutka stains visible on footpaths, metro elevators, and foot-over-bridges. A common sentiment among the online discussion was a call for a strict "No Spitting" rule with awareness programs and fines, and even a potential ban on the sale of gutka itself to tackle the problem at its root.
