Maratha, Hindu groups plan protest over naming of Shivajinagar Metro station

BENGALURU: The proposal to change the name of the Shivajinagar Metro station has sparked outrage among Maratha and Hindu organisations. They are planning to hold a massive protest against the government’s decision, demanding that the station be named after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The Maratha community has warned that naming the Metro station after St Mary would be an insult to the Maratha warrior. They are planning to stage a protest at Freedom Park on Saturday and submit a memorandum to the BMRCL managing director.

Earlier, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had defended the proposal, stating that the government will consider the request to name the station after St Mary, citing the basilica’s historical significance. Despite opposition, Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad has submitted a proposal to rename two Metro stations.

The proposal suggests naming the Shivajinagar Metro station as ‘Shivajinagar St Mary’s station and the Bamboo Bazaar Metro station as Shivajinagar Bamboo Bazaar Metro Station. The proposal aims to add “Shivajinagar” to the names of the two Metro stations to avoid controversy and hurting sentiments. The proposal is ye to be approved and the central government’s decision are awaited.

Another proposal has been submitted to the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to rename the Kalena Agrahara to Nagawara metro station on the pink line.