JOIN USBabus forget Nalvadi's birth anniversary
Even as the members of Arasu Mandali took out a colourful procession in commemoration of the 129th birth anniversary of erstwhile ruler of Mysore Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar (June 4, 1884) in the city on Tuesday, the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) allegedly remained oblivious to the occasion and attracted the wrath of the concerned citizens.
Eventually, the issue subsided with MCC commissioner P G Ramesh expressing regret for the “blunder”.
Learning about the protest, Ramesh hurriedly arrived at the Corporation. He tried to broker truce stating that, the Assembly session was underway, and that MCC was still in the process of planning for the occasion.
He also said that deputy commissioner’s office had called for a meeting on June 5 at 12 noon to chart out events for Nalvadi’s birth anniversary. But his reply further aggravated the protestors. “Don’t you remember your parents’ birthday; don’t you celebrate it on that particular day or not...?” questioned an angry agitator.
Earlier, a section of citizens comprising Prof P V Nanjaraj Urs, BSP State secretary N Mahesh, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha district secretary Hosakote Basavaraj, former mayor and sitting Corporator R Purushotham and others staged a sit-in, in front of Nalvadi’s statue at K R Circle.
They condemned the negligence on the part of the city corporation, terming it as disrespect to the ruler of Mysore who was hailed as ‘Rajarshi’ (Saintly King) by Mahatma Gandhi during his visit to the city.
The protesters later shifted to the city corporation office and staged a demonstration, blocking its main entrance. Mahesh termed it as a grave lapse on part of the administrative machinery, especially when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah too belonged to Mysore district. Recalling the contributions made by the benevolent ruler, Mahesh said that had not Nalvadi announced equal priority for backward classes by forming Miller’s Commission, a man belonging to backward classes like Siddaramaiah too wouldn’t have ascended the highest seat of power in the State.
Corporator R Purushot-hama, during whose tenure as mayor in the year 2009, the Corporation decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of Nalvadi every year, also took part in the protest.
Procession
Members of Arasu Mandali took out a procession from their office on Thyagaraja road up to the statue at K R Circle. A flower bedecked chariot carrying the life-sized portrait of Nalvadi, pulled by caparisoned horse added to the mood. A group of Arasu community members dressed as ‘durbaris’ (A person wearing Mysore peta and dressed in white and white or black coat, and white pant to attend royal court, functioning during princely rule), relived the bygone days.
President of the Mandali A S Bharath, vice-president N S Desaraje Urs, secretary D Ravi and other office-bearers took part in the procession.