Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Opposes Karnataka's Proposal to Rename Shivajinagar Metro Station After St. Mary, Igniting Political Controversy
Mumbai/Bengaluru – September 13, 2025 – A heated political row has erupted between Maharashtra and Karnataka following Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ vehement opposition to the Karnataka government’s proposal to rename Bengaluru’s Shivajinagar Metro Station after St. Mary. The proposal, announced by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on September 8, 2025, during the annual feast at St. Mary’s Basilica, has been labeled by Fadnavis as “an insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” the revered Maratha warrior king after whom the station is currently named. The controversy, which has sparked widespread debate across social media and political circles, underscores deep-seated tensions over cultural heritage, religious identity, and regional pride in India.
Background of the Proposal
The controversy began on September 8, 2025, when Siddaramaiah, speaking at the inauguration of the annual feast at St. Mary’s Basilica in Bengaluru’s Shivajinagar area, responded positively to a request from Archbishop Peter Machado to rename the upcoming Shivajinagar Metro Station, part of Namma Metro’s Pink Line, after St. Mary. The station, located approximately 200 meters from the historic basilica, is slated to open in 2026. Siddaramaiah stated, “A request has been made to name the metro station after St. Mary. We will positively consider it and send a recommendation to the central government,” as reported by The Times of India and Deccan Chronicle. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar supported the proposal, noting, “There is nothing wrong with the request. We will take a final call,” according to a post by @ANI on X on September 11, 2025.
Shivajinagar, a bustling and historically significant neighborhood in central Bengaluru, is known for its cultural diversity, housing landmarks like Russell Market, mosques, temples, and churches. The metro station’s current name honors Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a 17th-century Maratha leader celebrated for his resistance against Mughal rule and revered as a symbol of Hindu pride and Indian nationalism. The proposal to rename the station after St. Mary, inspired by the basilica’s annual festival, has been framed by Karnataka’s Congress government as a nod to the area’s Christian heritage but has drawn sharp criticism for allegedly undermining Shivaji’s legacy.
Fadnavis’ Opposition
On September 11, 2025, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, speaking to reporters in Mumbai, strongly condemned the Karnataka government’s move. “I condemn the Karnataka government’s decision to rename Shivajinagar Metro Station after St. Mary. It’s an insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” he said, as quoted by The Asian Age and The Daily Jagran. Fadnavis accused the Congress-led Karnataka government of continuing a “tradition of insulting the Maratha warrior king since the time of Nehru,” referencing alleged disparaging remarks about Shivaji in Jawaharlal Nehru’s book The Discovery of India. He added, “I pray the Almighty gives Siddaramaiah the sense not to proceed with this decision, which is based on religion and disrespectful to Shivaji Maharaj.”
Fadnavis’ remarks, delivered at a press conference at 2:30 PM IST, resonated strongly in Maharashtra, where Shivaji is a cultural and political icon. The CM’s statement was amplified on X, with posts like one from @MarathaPride on September 12 stating, “Fadnavis stands tall for Shivaji Maharaj’s honor. Karnataka’s Congress is playing appeasement politics with St. Mary renaming!” garnering thousands of likes. The controversy has also fueled regional sentiments, with Maratha organizations in Mumbai and Pune planning protests if the renaming proceeds.
Karnataka’s Response
On September 12, 2025, Siddaramaiah responded to Fadnavis’ criticism, urging him to raise objections with the central government, which has the final authority on naming metro stations funded by national schemes. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said, “Let him [Fadnavis] speak to the Government of India. We will send our recommendation to them; let him take it up there,” as reported by Vartha Bharati. Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara questioned Fadnavis’ involvement, stating, “Why is Fadnavis suddenly interested in Karnataka’s matters? This is a Bengaluru issue, and decisions will be made by the CM and the minister in charge,” according to an @ANI post on September 12.
Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar reiterated that the proposal was under consideration and not finalized, emphasizing the cultural significance of St. Mary’s Basilica, a 19th-century landmark in Shivajinagar. “The request reflects the area’s heritage. We are not erasing Shivaji’s name but considering local sentiments,” he told News18. However, the Karnataka government’s stance has been criticized by opposition BJP leaders in the state, including Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, who on September 11 said, “Naming should not be based on religion. This is appeasement politics, and we will oppose it,” as reported by Deccan Chronicle.
Broader Political and Social Implications
The controversy has reignited debates over religious appeasement, cultural heritage, and regional identity. Critics argue that renaming the station risks alienating communities that revere Shivaji while prioritizing a minority group’s sentiments. The BJP, both in Karnataka and nationally, has framed the move as part of the Congress’ alleged pattern of minority appeasement. A NewsMinimalist report noted Fadnavis’ accusation that the proposal “attempts to establish an alternative religious system,” a sentiment echoed by right-wing groups on X.
Conversely, supporters of the proposal, including local Christian organizations, argue that naming the station after St. Mary reflects Shivajinagar’s pluralistic history. The Karnataka Region Catholic Bishops’ Council issued a statement on September 12, saying, “St. Mary’s Basilica is a historic landmark, and the request honors Bengaluru’s inclusive spirit.” Some residents have also suggested alternative names, such as honoring late Kannada actor Shankar Nag, credited with envisioning Bengaluru’s metro system in the 1980s, as a compromise to avoid religious connotations.
Social media has been a battleground for the debate. Posts on X, such as one by @BengaluruCitizen on September 12, criticized the Congress, stating, “Shivajinagar Metro renaming to St. Mary is a slap on Karnataka’s pride. Siddaramaiah must respect Shivaji Maharaj!” Others, like @UnityInDiversity, countered, “Shivajinagar has churches, mosques, and temples. Naming a station after St. Mary celebrates our diversity, not erases history.”
Historical and Cultural Context
The renaming debate touches on sensitive issues of identity in India. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not only a Maratha hero but also a national symbol of resistance, with statues, airports, and institutions named after him across the country. In Maharashtra, his legacy is a cornerstone of political and cultural discourse, often invoked by parties like the BJP and Shiv Sena to rally voters. The Shivajinagar Metro Station’s name, established during the station’s planning under the BJP-led central government, was seen as a tribute to this legacy.
St. Mary’s Basilica, meanwhile, is one of Bengaluru’s oldest churches, dating back to the 1800s, and its annual feast draws thousands of devotees. The proposal to name the station after St. Mary was first raised in 2024 by Archbishop Machado, but it gained traction this year during the feast, which Siddaramaiah attended. The Karnataka government argues that the renaming aligns with naming conventions for metro stations, often based on local landmarks, such as MG Road or Cubbon Park stations.
Legal and Administrative Aspects
The renaming of metro stations in India involves coordination between state and central governments, as Namma Metro is partially funded by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Any proposal must be approved by the central government, which has yet to comment officially on the issue. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) has remained silent, with officials stating on September 12 that “no formal decision has been communicated,” according to The Indian Express.
Legal experts note that while states can propose names, the central government’s approval process considers public sentiment and cultural significance. A similar controversy in 2018 over renaming Mumbai’s Elphinstone Road station to Prabhadevi was resolved after public consultation, suggesting a potential precedent for Karnataka.
Future Outlook
The controversy shows no signs of abating, with political parties leveraging it for electoral gains. In Karnataka, the BJP is mobilizing protests, with a planned rally in Bengaluru on September 15, while Congress is holding internal meetings to assess the proposal’s fallout. In Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT), a Congress ally, has taken a nuanced stance, with spokesperson Anand Dubey stating on September 12, “Public sentiments should be respected. We will write to Siddaramaiah to retain Shivaji’s name,” as posted by @ANI. Dubey also criticized the BJP for politicizing the issue, citing stalled projects like a Shivaji statue in the Arabian Sea.
The debate has also drawn attention to broader issues of metro infrastructure in Bengaluru. Critics argue that the focus on renaming distracts from pressing concerns like delays in the Pink Line’s construction and recent technical snags on other lines, such as a seven-minute delay on the Yellow Line on September 11, reported by The Times of India.
As the Karnataka government prepares its recommendation to the Centre, the outcome will likely hinge on public and political pressure. For now, the clash between Fadnavis and Siddaramaiah has deepened regional and ideological divides, with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy at the heart of a contentious battle over identity and heritage.
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