Demolition of century-old structures at Badanavalu khadi centre near Mysuru sparks ire of Gandhians
Mahatma Gandhi had visited the Khadi and Gramodyog Centre at Badanavalu twice — once in 1927 and again in 1932; Officials say the structures are in a dilapidated condition
Demolition of several structures at the historic Khadi and Gramodyog Centre at Badanavalu in Nanjangud near Mysuru has sparked outrage among Gandhians. The demolition, a part of development work sanctioned by the Karnataka government, took place on August 1, 2026, after a ₹40-crore package was approved for the project. Days earlier, local MLA Darshan Dhruvanarayan inaugurated the project in the presence of the Board’s CEO, D.B.
Natesh. Gandhians associate the Centre with memories of Mahatma Gandhi, who visited the site twice - in 1927 and 1932. At least six structures, including two manufacturing units for matchboxes and paper, and three to four housing units, were pulled down. The structures were in a dilapidated condition, according to an official of the Board, as their roofs had already fallen.
The machinery and equipment used for manufacturing these items had already been auctioned. Trees used for drying yarn were also cut down. Workers expressed disappointment at the loss of these elements tied to the Centre's heritage. Criticised for the demolition, noted playwright Prasanna called it a "shocking" act, as the State government was contradicting Gandhiji's ideals by constructing large concrete structures.
The Centre, once a symbol of sustainable living, was established by Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar at the behest of Gandhiji to provide employment to people in the rain-shadow region of Nanjangud.
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