For now, security guard to take care of Wadiyar's statue

Following the damage to a portion of the statue of the erstwhile ruler of Mysore Chamarajendra Wadiyar X, at the circle by the same name opposite Balarama gate of the Palace, Mysore City Corporation (MCC) has finally woken, and has been decided to deploy a security guard near the statue. The city corporation is also planning to install closed circuit TV cameras subsequently, said MCC Commissioner C G Betsurmath.

MCC has also lodged a complaint against ‘miscreants’ at Devaraja police station. The police have booked the case under IPC section 427 (damage to public property) and Mischief to Public Properties Act in the police manual. This is the second such case, after a case was booked against a KSRTC bus driver for ramming the bus against the railings installed along the Raja Marga, recently.

The Commissioner, who inspected the statue on Friday, said that a local artisan had been entrusted with the task of restoring the sword, which has been cut in half. The work is expected to be completed in a day or two.

Tourists

According to the local police, the recurring incident could be attributed to tourists venturing too close to the statue for a photograph. The statue stands on a pedestal without any support. If one has to climb, the sword has to be used for support, which is resulting in its frequent damage.

An official claimed that many tourists who like to explore the city during night hours, zero in on the  the statue and the Anjaneya Swamy Temple area to take pictures.
Though trespassers can be prevented with the installation of high-rise fencing, the same hasn’t been taken up, as it would mar the beauty of the structure.