City BJP President urges restraint while speaking about Mysore Royal Family

Mysuru: Former Chamaraja MLA and BJP Mysuru City President L. Nagendra criticised Mysuru District Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah for saying the Mysore Palace belongs to the Government and that a portion of its land has been given to the Royal Family for them to stay.

Nagendra said, the remark had hurt self-respect and sentiments of the people of Mysuru.

In a statement, Nagendra said, the Mysore Royal Family had always been a model for society, dedicating its wealth and resources to public welfare rather than accumulating wealth and privileges for itself.

He said, the Royal Family had also relinquished its Princely State in keeping with democratic values and in the larger interest of the people.

Describing the Minister’s remark that the Government had merely “given them a place to live” as inappropriate, Nagendra said, the statement was unbecoming when referring to a family the people remembered with respect and gratitude.

He pointed out that while successive Governments had established various Boards, institutions and organisations, the Mysore Palace remained a lasting contribution of the Mysore rulers. The city’s heritage and legacy had earned Mysuru recognition and fame across the world, he said.

Referring to the recently concluded Dasara celebrations, Nagendra said, the public had witnessed shortcomings and mismanagement during this year’s festivities.

He noted that Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, a senior member of the Mysore Royal Family, had offered several valuable suggestions on the conduct of Dasara. Whether the Government chose to consider them was its prerogative, he said.

However, Nagendra said, the assertion that the Government had provided the Royal Family with a place to live was unacceptable and would draw strong condemnation across party lines. He urged the Minister to exercise restraint and be more careful while making statements about the Mysore Royal Family.