The proposal to name the Shivajinagar Metro Station in Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, as St. Mary has sparked controversy. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently made this recommendation during the annual feast at St. Mary's Basilica.
Bengaluru: The proposal to rename the Shivajinagar Metro Station in Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, to St. Mary has triggered a controversy. Following the proposal put forth by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, sharp reactions have been observed across social media and public forums. Opponents argue that the metro station should be named after the great Kannada actor and director Shankar Nag, who made significant contributions to Bengaluru's development and had a deep connection with the region.
Why the Controversy?
According to reports, the controversy began when CM Siddaramaiah assured Archbishop Peter Machado of St. Mary's Basilica that the name of the upcoming Pink Line metro station would be considered for naming after St. Mary. He also pledged financial assistance for the renovation of the Basilica. The Chief Minister stated that the proposal would be presented to the central government and processed according to procedure.
Following this move, debates intensified on social media. People are questioning why a metro station in a city like Bengaluru is not being named after an individual connected to local Kannada culture and history.
Reactions on Social Media
Several users on the X platform expressed their displeasure with the proposal. One user wrote, "This is shameful. Why does the Karnataka government want to name the metro station St. Mary? Why wasn't it named after Shankar Nag or other Kannadigas?" Another user commented, "Many people from the Kannada community have contributed greatly to our land and culture, yet the metro station is being named after a foreign name."
Rizwan Arshad, the MLA for the Shivajinagar constituency, speaking to The Indian Express, said, "I am formally proposing the name of the metro station as St. Mary. This is in honor of the prestigious St. Mary's Basilica, which has a long and rich history. The Basilica is located near the Shivajinagar bus depot, which will leave no room for confusion for commuters."
Who was Shankar Nag?
Shankar Nag was a renowned actor and director in Kannada cinema. He studied metro rail networks in other countries during the 1980s and advocated for an urban rail transport system in Bengaluru. It is said that he envisioned Bengaluru as a developed city akin to Singapore. Due to his contributions and vision, many believe that the metro station should be named after him.
