Will lead agitation against KSIC stadium plan: Yaduveer

Mysuru: Mysore MP Yaduveer Wadiyar on Tuesday announced that he will lead the agitation against the proposed construction of a stadium on land belonging to KSIC in T Narasipura town of the district.After meeting the agitating labourers at the KSIC site, Yaduveer assured them that he would stand by their side and spearhead the protest until their demands were fulfilled. He expressed strong opposition to the state govt's move to construct a stadium within the premises of the factory, which was originally established as Mysore Silk and later became KSIC. He urged the govt to identify a suitable alternative site for the stadium.
Extending support to the protesting workers, Yaduveer said that Mysore silk saris remain a highly sought-after product in the state, often accessible only to politicians, dignitaries, and officials due to high demand. Constructing a stadium adjacent to a factory that supplies silk yarn for these saris would not be appropriate, he said.He noted that the workers' protest has already drawn the attention of the state govt. Emphasising the need to preserve the factory, he said steps must be taken to strengthen infrastructure and improve facilities for the workers.The agitation should continue until the govt withdraws its plan, he said, adding that the legitimate demands of the working class must be met and that his support would always remain with them.BJP district vice-president R Arjun, former MP Pratap Simmha, and advocate S Arun Kumar were present.Meanwhile, Yaduveer wrote a letter to CM Siddaramaiah seeking his intervention to save the KSIC factory land. In his letter to the chief minister, Yaduveer said KSIC must be modernised to generate more local employment and ensure better prices for farmers. "KSIC carries a legacy of over 100 years. If the land is handed over for the stadium, it will hamper the factory's modernisation," he said, adding that the land should instead be utilised to upgrade the factory for the benefit of all.State BJP chief BY Vijayendra is also opposing the allotment of KSIC land for the construction of stadium. He said that the project will denude the forested area at the site and could affect the Mysore Silk brand.