Plan to name the new metro station in Shivajinagar, Bengaluru as ‘St Mary’s

Hindu Rashtra Coordination Committee demands that the station be named after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Bengaluru (Karnataka) – Even though 78 years have passed since the British left India, attempts at appeasement are still being made by giving British and Christian names to local areas. There is no need to name the new metro station at Shivajinagar in Bengaluru as ‘St Mary’s. We do not want a British identity; we want India’s identity. Are you trying to make this city a Christian city, or a Vatican City? If you do not accept our demand, we will launch an agitation, warned Mr Pramod Muthalik, National President of Sri Ram Sena.

On this issue, under the leadership of the Hindu Rashtra Coordination Committee, various Hindu organisations and residents of Shivajinagar submitted a memorandum to the Managing Director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). Muthalik was speaking at the time.

Present were Shri Mohan Gowda (State Spokesperson, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti), Shri Pradeep Kumar (Trustee, Anjaneya Swami Temple, Shivajinagar), Shri Kamlesh Rao (Veer Shivaji Sena), Shri Deepak Chauhan (Shiv Garjana Sena), Shri Sundresh Nagarl and Sri Manjunath (Shri Ram Sena), Smt. Saraswati Praveen (Durga Sena), along with other dignitaries.

Points highlighted in the memorandum:

1. Between 1630 and 1640, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj spent his childhood with his father Shahaji Maharaj in the Shivajinagar area of Bengaluru. The then rulers of Mysore named this area ‘Shivajinagar’ as a mark of honour.
2. The life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj continues to be an inspiration for millions of youth. Naming the metro station after him will also honour India’s glorious tradition.
3. The government should not distort history for vote-bank politics. It must respect public sentiment and uphold the honour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Local opinion

Shivajinagar has a significant Kannada and Marathi-speaking population. For locals and citizens of the city, having a metro station named after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a matter of pride. Naming it ‘St. Mary’s will create confusion among passengers and deeply hurt local sentiments.

Editorial Perspective

Congress has always harboured hatred for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, so it is no surprise the government avoids naming places after him. Devout Hindus must exert pressure on the government to compel it to honour Shivaji Maharaj!