Balabrooie? Not again.

Letter to Hon CM on the Balabrooie Reprise.

22nd September 2021

The Hon Chief Minister

State of Karnataka

Vidhana Soudha

Bangalore 560001

Dear Sir:

Ref: Discussion on the proposed Constitution Club at Balabrooie

From recent press reports we understand that a small group is once again revisiting the decision to have a Constitution Club at Balabrooie. As you aware this conversation has been in progress from 2004 and at every point the citizens have been collectively & vocally outraged about heritage properties being converted into clubs etc. Other areas like Carlton House have also been mooted and have been resisted by citizens.

Therefore the sudden revival of Constitution Club discussion and its location at Balabrooie caught us by surprise, if not dismay and shock . While we are respectful of the points that you have raised we would also like to draw your attention the fact that a space was already identified and initial plans made somewhere near Kumar Krupa or Cauvery near the Windsor Manor circle. Therefore this discussion has got citizens like us who are very concerned about heritage, completely by surprise. We do know that's you have the heritage interests of the city at heart and also value the concerns of citizens and civil society on this matter.

We therefore request you to please reconsider this decision and ensure that heritage properties like this are restored observed without being altered renovated and trees removed to make way for a class structure. Government undoubtedly will take its role of safeguarding city heritage – and we certainly do not want to hear any charges of the fence eating the crop etc. We know that you will support the voice of citizens like ours and we look forward do your kind confirmation on the same.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Priya Chetty-Rajagopal

Press Clippings of interest: