Mysuru MP Yaduveer Wadiyar has called for reforms in Mysuru Dasara festival management, citing concerns over pass distribution, security procedures and the need for greater coordination with stakeholders after this year’s arrangements.
Wadiyar said the festival had been successful to an extent, but shortcomings required corrective action. He said passes should be distributed transparently and limited according to the seating capacity of each venue.
The MP suggested that the government introduce an online pass-distribution system or assign the responsibility to an independent agency. Such a system, he said, could improve accountability and reduce confusion around access to Dasara events.
Wadiyar also criticised what he described as a lack of sensitivity in some security arrangements. He condemned the reported checking of a four-year-old child at a venue and said security protocols should account for the needs of children and other visitors while maintaining safety standards.
He said police personnel deployed from outside Mysuru might not be fully familiar with the city’s traditions and the specific requirements of the Dasara festival. Wadiyar called for better orientation of such personnel before their deployment and for clear instructions on entry protocols.
The proposed instructions, he said, should cover journalists, invited guests and other stakeholders attending festival venues. He also sought pre-festival meetings involving relevant stakeholders to establish common guidelines for security checks, pass distribution and entry arrangements.
The comments place festival access and security within a broader administrative question: how large public events can manage limited venue capacity, multiple categories of visitors and city-specific cultural practices through clear and predictable systems. The report does not specify whether the government has accepted the proposals or announced a timeline for implementing them.
“Every year, we raise these issues and suggest improvements. When we are in a position of responsibility, we too will have to address these shortcomings. Criticism alone is not enough; corrective action is necessary,” Wadiyar said.
The next step sought by the MP is consultation among authorities and stakeholders before the next Dasara festival, with reforms focused on online or independent pass management, security orientation and advance guidelines for venue access.
