Demolition of century-old structures at Badanavalu khadi centre near Mysuru sparks ire of Gandhians
Gandhians are protesting the demolition of historic structures at the Badanavalu Khadi Centre, which was visited by Mahatma Gandhi in the early 20th century. Authorities claim the buildings were in a dilapidated state and part of a government-sanctioned development project.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the conflict between modern infrastructure development and the preservation of historical and cultural heritage sites.
The demolition of several structures at the historic Khadi and Gramodyog Centre at Badanavalu in Nanjangud near Mysuru, visited by Mahatma Gandhi about a century ago, has sparked the ire of Gandhians.
The demolition is part of development work taken up by the Karnataka Khadi and Village Industries Board under a ₹40-crore package sanctioned by the State government.
Days after the development work was launched by local MLA Darshan Dhruvanarayan in the presence of the Board’s Chief Executive Officer D.B. Natesh on August 1, 2026, earthmovers rolled into the Centre, pulling down five to six old structures on the premises, much to the chagrin of Gandhians, who associate the Centre with memories of Mahatma Gandhi.
Mahatma Gandhi had visited the Khadi and Gramodyog Centre at Badanavalu twice — once in 1927 and again in 1932.
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