No eviction of villagers in Chamarajanagar, assures member of erstwhile royal family of Mysore

BENGALURU: Regarding fears of eviction in several villages in Chamarajanagar district after erstwhile royal family of Mysore took steps to claim about 5, 135 acres, member of erstwhile royal family of Mysore Pramoda Devi Wadiyar on Monday assured the residents “Even if the land (claimed by royal family) is officially declared to us, no one will be evicted from the place.” Adding, she said, “We will maintain the status quo.”

At a press conference in Mysuru, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar claimed villages such as Budithittu, Karadihalla, Kannikere, Ummatur, Basavapura, Marchally, Southanahalli, Kaggaliborekaval, Kammenahalli, Benkipura, Thippur, Maruru Kaval, Attagulipura and Haradanahalli as part of royal family’s ancestral holdings in Chamarajanagar district.

On March 20, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar in letters to Chamarajnagar Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner among other officials made a request claiming 5,135 acres as properties of erstwhile Mysore royal family and wanted the officials concerned to issue khatas for the properties claiming to be that of the royal family. The letters by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar triggered fears among the villagers that they could be displaced.

“I have submitted letters to all concerned officials based on the records belonging to 1950,” she said.

The lands claimed by the royal family span across several villages and survey numbers in Chamarajanagar district. Pramoda Devi Wadiyar stated the acres claimed by the royal family belonged to them as per an agreement signed by the Maharaja of Mysore kingdom with the Union Government on January 23, 1950.

However, she clarified “If the land was donated by the then Maharaja it will not be reclaimed.” Pramoda Devi Wadiyar asked villagers to meet the royal family if they had any fears of eviction.