Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s promise to advocate naming the upcoming Shivajinagar station of Bengaluru Metro after St Mary has ignited an argument on social media, with residents demanding that the station be named after the late Kannada actor-director Shankar Nag as a substitute.
The controversy erupted after Siddaramaiah Monday assured Archbishop Peter Machado through the annual feast at St Mary’s Basilica that the federal government will positively contemplate naming the upcoming Pink Line station after St Mary. He additionally promised funding assist for the Basilica’s renovation.
Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad, chatting with The Indian Categorical, stated, “I’m formally proposing to call the metro station as Shivajinagar St Mary. That is to honour the long-lasting St Mary’s Basilica, which has a wealthy historical past. The Basilica is situated near the Shivajinagar bus depot, and there can be no room for confusion for the passengers as properly.”
Siddaramaiah stated the proposal can be offered to the Central authorities, and the request can be processed in line with due procedures.
Social media customers rapidly voiced opposition, arguing that Shankar Nag deserves recognition for his visionary position in conceptualising Bengaluru’s Metro system a long time in the past. “Shankar Nag was an exception in motion pictures who had the pursuits of Bengaluru and Karnataka at coronary heart. He wished to make the town like Singapore and even bore bills to check their know-how,” wrote one consumer.
The late actor-director had studied metro rail networks in different nations through the Eighties and advocated for an city rail transit system in Bengaluru, incomes him recognition as the unique visionary behind Namma Metro.
“The person who dreamt of Bengaluru Metro remains to be ready for a station in his title. That is pure injustice for Shankar Nag,” commented one other social media consumer, expressing the sentiment shared by many Kannadigas.
Story continues beneath this advert
Arshad, in the meantime, stated, “There are numerous upcoming stations within the community which could be named after Shankar Nag.”
Of Bengaluru’s 83 metro stations, many are named after varied personalities and religious leaders, which may generally create confusion for commuters. The station situated at Digital Metropolis is known as Infosys Basis Konappana Agrahara, whereas the one truly situated at Konappana Agrahara is known as Digital Metropolis.
Some customers advocate for a extra sensible strategy, suggesting stations ought to be named after their localities or close by landmarks somewhat than personalities, to keep away from confusion and assist co-branding efforts.
The naming debate extends past this occasion, with Deputy Chief Minister D Okay Shivakumar just lately speaking about discussions on naming a station after Area Marshal Okay M Cariappa.