CSI members on strike in Karnataka

Protesting the proposition of a health project (hospital) at the decades-old heritage Mission Bungalow, members of the Church of South India (CSI) on Thursday, went on an indefinite strike in Karnataka.

Expressing fears that the project would lead to the demolition of the historic structure, over 100 members from different CSI churches in Mysore and Mandya districts took part in the protest demanding the terminal of the project.

Protesters alleged that CSI-KSD bishop Rev Devaraj Bangera had leased the place where the heritage building stands, to a US-based company for construction of 300-bedded hospital, by unfair means.

CSI-Karnataka Southern Diocesan executive committee member Ranjith S had earlier stated that the front portion of the Mission Bungalow would be preserved for chapel, while a portion at the rear, would be demolished.

Despite the executive committee promising a portion of structure to be retained as chapel, protesters including Rev Prem Kumar Soans, Rev Franklin Prabhu and Rev Vijayarath rued that the project can lead to the vanishing of the structure and history of missionaries in Mysore.