Protest against handing over Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion

Mysuru: A section of academicians and historians have opposed the plan to hand over the Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion in Manasagangotri, the PG campus of the University of Mysore (UoM), to set up the Classical Kannada Centre.
They urged the UoM authorities to reconsider the decision and retain this heritage building under its control.
Speaking to reporters, former UoM vice-chancellor J Shashidhar Prasad, historian PV Nanjaraja Urs, and former syndicate member K Mahadev stated that the university should conserve the building which has historical significance. They warned of legal action if the varsity hands over the building to another government department.
This mansion was bought by Kuvempu from the Mysuru royal family for the university when he was the VC. It was not maintained properly. Crores of rupees are required for the conservation. Earlier, Sudha Murty of the Infosys Foundation donated to the conservation works. A folk museum is housed in this building. “It is not fair to hand over this building to any other agencies,” they stated.
They also stated that already, UoM has handed over four acres of land for the classical Kannada Centre. “We will move to court if the UoM signs any MoU with any government department and hands over the building,” they warned.
“We will not give full mansion to any government department. Only a portion will be handed over after conservation if the syndicate approves. We are open to suggestions. The proposal is still under consideration,” said the VC.