Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Congress-led Karnataka government over its proposal to rename Bengaluru’s Shivajinagar metro station after St. Mary.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah had recently hinted at the renaming move after a demand was raised during the annual St. Mary’s Basilica feast, while Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar defended it as a “routine community request.”
Fadnavis, however, minced no words. “I strongly condemn the Karnataka government’s decision. It is nothing less than an insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Since the days of Nehru, Congress has repeatedly humiliated the great Maratha warrior. Nehru himself made disparaging remarks in his book Discovery of India. This is a continuation of that shameful legacy,” he said.
Appealing to Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Fadnavis added, “I pray that the Almighty gives him wisdom to stop this religion-based decision which disrespects Shivaji Maharaj.”
Responding to Opposition remarks comparing India’s situation with civic unrest in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, Fadnavis lashed out: “You can criticise government programmes and policies, but do not insult the society or the nation. This kind of rhetoric shows how low the Opposition has fallen.”
