By News Karnataka
Copyright newskarnataka
Bengaluru: A political storm has erupted after Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah announced that his government would recommend renaming the upcoming Shivajinagar Metro station after St Mary. The statement was made on Monday during the annual feast celebrations at St Mary’s Basilica, located just 200 metres from the Metro station site.
The Shivajinagar underground station, which falls on Namma Metro’s Pink Line, is expected to become operational next year. Siddaramaiah said the renaming would be formally announced once the central government granted approval.
Deputy CM defends move
Defending the proposal, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said, “There is nothing wrong with the request. The government will take the final call on the matter.” He stressed that the suggestion was being considered in response to longstanding demands from the local Christian community.
This is not the first time such a demand has surfaced. In 2023, Archbishop Rev Peter Machado had urged the chief minister to rename the station in honour of St Mary, given the Basilica’s historic and cultural significance.
BJP and Maharashtra leaders oppose
The move has drawn sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which alleged that the Congress government was indulging in minority appeasement while ignoring the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The row escalated further after leaders from Maharashtra joined the criticism. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the proposal on Thursday, calling it “an insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.”
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Fadnavis accused the Congress of continuing “its tradition of insulting the Maratha warrior king since the time of Nehru, who made comments against Shivaji Maharaj in his book Discovery of India.”
Clash of culture and politics
The controversy has brought to the forefront tensions between religious sensitivities and regional pride. While the Congress argues that the renaming honours the historic role of St Mary’s Basilica in Shivajinagar, the opposition maintains that it undermines Shivaji’s revered legacy.
Political analysts believe the debate reflects both regional sentiment in Maharashtra and communal politics in Karnataka, where Metro station names have often sparked disputes.
So far, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) has not issued any official statement regarding the proposal or its feasibility.
Yellow Line disruption adds to Metro woes
Meanwhile, on Thursday evening, Metro commuters faced inconvenience on the Yellow Line after a technical snag stalled a train for seven minutes.
An official confirmed that the disruption occurred at Jayadeva Metro station at 6.41 pm due to “door authorisation problems” on a train heading towards RV Road (Electronics City side). Services resumed by 6.48 pm after the glitch was resolved.
The brief delay highlighted operational challenges that continue to trouble Namma Metro even as construction expands across Bengaluru.
What lies ahead
With the renaming proposal awaiting central approval, the issue is expected to remain a flashpoint in Karnataka politics. As both Congress and BJP position themselves ahead of key electoral battles, the controversy over Shivajinagar Metro station is likely to fuel further debates on identity, history, and governance.
