Mysore Silk Production Halted Over Land Protest

Production of Mysore silk sarees has stopped after workers of the Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) began a protest over concerns about losing their workplace land.

Work at the KSIC mother unit in T. Narsipur has completely stopped. Because of this, weaving units in Mysuru and Channapatna have also been affected. The shutdown at the main unit has led to a chain reaction, bringing production in related centres to a standstill.

The protest started on Saturday when 192 employees working at the raw silk yarn reeling unit in T. Narsipur stopped work. These workers are responsible for preparing silk yarn, which is a key step in making Mysore silk sarees.

The employees fear that the five-acre land where the unit is located may be given to the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports for building a stadium. Workers say that if the land is transferred, their jobs and the future of silk production at the unit could be at risk.

Mysore silk sarees are well known across India for their quality and traditional value. The ongoing protest has raised concerns about delays in production and supply. Workers are demanding clear assurances from the government that the land and their jobs will be protected before they resume work.