Tumakuru: The recent renaming of the Mahatma Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Tumakuru after Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara has ignited a political storm, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition and local residents alike. The district administration’s decision to replace the decades-old name of India’s Father of the Nation with that of a sitting politician has been widely perceived as an insult to Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy, sparking protests and raising questions about the misuse of public spaces for political vanity.
The stadium, a prominent indoor sports venue located near the Siddaganga Math’s Shivakumar Swamiji Circle, has long been identified as the Mahatma Gandhi Indoor Stadium. On the afternoon of January 12, authorities reportedly removed the original signage and installed a new plaque reading “Dr. G. Parameshwara Indoor Sports Complex.” The sudden, unilateral decision, taken without public consultation, immediately triggered protests from BJP workers and local citizens.
Hundreds of BJP activists gathered at the stadium entrance, staging a sit-in and demanding the immediate removal of the new signboard. Protesters claimed that the Congress-led district administration had acted to glorify a political leader at the expense of a national icon. “The Congress, which constantly claims to uphold Gandhi’s ideals, has now erased his name to glorify its own leader. Is Parameshwara greater than Mahatma Gandhi? This is an insult to the nation,” said a local BJP representative.
The protest quickly escalated, with activists attempting to push aside barricades set up by police to prevent them from removing the signboard. A tense standoff ensued, requiring intervention from two Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) squads, who took several protesters into custody. Police officials confirmed that a heavy security deployment remains in place around the stadium to prevent further unrest.
The controversy has drawn attention not only because of the perceived political motive but also due to the historical and cultural significance of the venue. The stadium has hosted decades of state-level and national sporting events, and its association with Mahatma Gandhi has long been a source of pride for residents of Tumakuru and Karnataka at large. By replacing Gandhi’s name with that of a current politician, critics argue that the government has undermined the community’s emotional and historical connection to the space.
In response to the criticism, Dr. Parameshwara clarified that he had no role in the renaming and claimed the initiative came from local sports enthusiasts and the district administration. Speaking to the media, he said,
“The stadium will host a state-level sports meet from January 16 to 22, inaugurated by CM Siddaramaiah and concluded by the Governor. The decision to place my name on the plaque was taken by sports players and the district administration. I do not personally seek recognition. If people voluntarily wish to honour me, it is acceptable, but this was done without my request.”
Despite these clarifications, opposition leaders and citizens have expressed strong disapproval, describing the move as politically motivated and a blatant disregard for public sentiment. “This is not just a question of names. It reflects the Congress government’s tendency to politicize public spaces and ignore public opinion,” said a BJP spokesperson. Residents have also expressed concern that such actions set a precedent for renaming other civic institutions and public landmarks to glorify sitting politicians, undermining the legacy of historical figures who shaped the nation.
