BENGALURU:
Karnataka’s Minister of Large and Medium Industries, MB Patil, announced on Friday that he will be discussing the possibility of naming Namma Metro after Basaveshwara, the proponent of Anubhava Mantapa, with the Chief Minister.
There have been numerous calls to name Namma Metro after Basaveshwara. Some have suggested that the entire Namma Metro system should bear his name, similar to how Bengaluru International Airport is named after Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda. The final decision will be made after consultations with the Chief Minister, Patil explained.
There have also been voices advocating for the renaming of Vijayapura District as Basaveshwara District. Patil emphasized that he, along with others, is not opposed to this idea. However, it is crucial to consider all the pros and cons before reaching a decision, given that he is a staunch follower of Basava.
When asked about the proposal to rename Karnataka as Basaveshwara Nadu, Patil stated that he was unaware of any such suggestion. Nevertheless, there have been demands to recognize Basaveshwara as the cultural symbol of the state, similar to how Chhatrapati Shivaji is revered in Maharashtra.
Patil further noted that changing the name of a place requires a comprehensive approach, from the local to the international level. There are bound to be numerous obstacles, as experienced when Bijapura was changed to Vijayapura. Therefore, when there is a request to rename a place for the second time within a short period, it is essential to carefully consider all aspects, Patil opined.
