‘He became Minister through influence rather than Constitutional merit’

Mysuru: Even as the member of the erstwhile Mysore Royal Family, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, appealed for the protest in support of the Royal Family to be called off, members of the ‘Aramane Ulisi Horata Samiti’ staged a protest this morning, condemning District Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah’s remarks on the Palace and Royal Family and demanding his resignation.

More than 350 protesters gathered in front of Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple, accusing the Minister of making derogatory and unsavoury remarks.

The protesters held placards carrying slogans such as “Let us remember the contributions of the Maharajas”, “Let us live with respect for the Royal Family”, “Do not insult history”, “Do not dishonour the royal heritage” and “The people of Mysuru stand firmly with the entire Royal Family.” They expressed solidarity with the royal household.

Speakers accused Dr. Yathindra of making arrogant remarks without understanding the history of the Mysore Princely State. They demanded his resignation, claiming that he had become a Minister through influence rather than Constitutional merit.

Former MLA L. Nagendra alleged that Dr. Yathindra was making controversial statements to emerge as a rival to Priyank Kharge, despite having no notable achievements to his credit.

He claimed that Congress Governments had repeatedly spoken against the Royal Family and warned that the people of Mysuru would teach them a lesson if such attitudes continued.

Former Mayor Shivakumar said, Mysuru owed much of its reputation as a beautiful and developed city to the contributions of the Royal Family. Criticising those who spoke dismissively about the Ambari without understanding its significance, he said people came to Dasara not merely to watch tableaux but to witness the Ambari procession.

Referring to remarks about paying rent for the Ambari, he said that such comments belittled an important symbol of Mysuru’s heritage.

District Brahmin Association President D.T. Prakash objected to remarks suggesting that the Mysore Palace simply belonged to the Government, calling them arrogant and inappropriate.

Fr. John Everand Paul said, the Mysore Maharajas had also made significant contributions to the Christian community.

Former Mayor Shivakumar, former Deputy Mayor Shailendra, former Corporator Prashanth Gowda, former Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) Chairman L.R. Mahadevaswamy, Karnataka Sena District President Lokesh, Kalisu Foundation’s Nikhilesh, BJP District President Kumbrahalli Subbanna, BJP leader H.G. Giridhar, Mallaraja Urs, Dayanand Patel, Gokul Govardhan, Santosh Shambhu, Manjunath, Chethan of the Vokkaliga Association, Satish, Hema Nandish, Hemanth Kumar Gowda, Raghu, Rakesh Bhat and others were present.