Tavarekere Metro station
BENGALURU: A fresh controversy has erupted ahead of the much-awaited inauguration of Bengaluru’s Pink Line Metro, with residents and social media users demanding that the Tavarekere Metro station be renamed ‘Bismillah Nagar’ or ‘Bismillah Nagar-Tavarekere’.
The demand has triggered strong opposition from Hindu organisations, which have accused the Congress government of trying to appease a particular community and warned that the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) should not bow to pressure over the station’s name.
The Pink Line, connecting Kalena Agrahara with Nagawara, is expected to be opened to the public shortly, with the inauguration likely to take place towards the end of this month or in October. The controversy over the proposed name change has emerged even before the new Metro corridor becomes operational.
Supporters of the renaming say the Tavarekere Metro station is about 2.5 km from the Tavarekere locality, while Bismillah Nagar is only about 250 metres from the station. They argue that Bismillah Nagar is a prominent local landmark with a substantial Muslim population and that thousands of residents from the surrounding areas are expected to use the station every day.
Local Muslim residents and community representatives from Bismillah Nagar have reportedly sought a name change to reflect the station’s immediate surroundings better. They have suggested either ‘Bismillah Nagar Metro Station’ or a combined name such as ‘Bismillah Nagar-Tavarekere’.
The representatives are also reported to have met BMRCL Managing Director P.C. Jaffer and submitted a formal representation seeking the change.
Supporters of the proposal contend that Metro station names should help commuters identify their destinations easily and should reflect well-known localities. Since Bismillah Nagar is closer to the station than Tavarekere, they believe including the locality in the station’s name would make it easier for residents to identify and access the Metro facility.
However, the proposal has drawn a sharp response from Hindu organisations.
Sri Ram Sena chief Pramod Muthalik opposed the proposal and questioned the need to name the station after Bismillah Nagar. He alleged that the demand was part of what he described as the Congress government’s appeasement politics.
Muthalik questioned the historical significance of the proposed name and said that if the government wanted to rename the station, it could instead consider names associated with prominent figures such as B.R. Ambedkar or Kempe Gowda.
He also urged BMRCL not to accept the demand merely because of pressure from any section of society.
Hindu Janajagruti Samithi’s Mohan Gowda also opposed the proposal and raised similar objections. Hindu organisations have warned that renaming the station without broader consultation could lead to further protests and controversy.
The issue has so far remained largely a public and social media demand. BMRCL has not officially announced that it will rename the station.
Sources in BMRCL said that if the corporation receives a formal representation seeking a change in the station’s name, it would review the proposal and gather the necessary information before deciding.
According to the sources, the final decision on station names is not taken based solely on social media posts or individual demands. A committee headed by the BMRCL Managing Director is expected to examine such proposals. The committee is understood to include representatives from both the state and the Centre.
BMRCL sources said there is currently no official decision to rename the Tavarekere station. The corporation is aware of social media posts and the demand, but has not announced any formal change.
The controversy comes at time, with the Pink Line nearing its much-awaited launch. The corridor is expected to improve connectivity between several densely populated parts of south and north Bengaluru and provide commuters with an additional high-capacity public transport option. The proposed renaming has now brought a cultural and political dimension to what was otherwise expected to be a major infrastructure milestone.
Hindu organisations have warned that they would oppose any attempt to rename the station if they believe it is being done to appease a particular community. They have also demanded that BMRCL follow established procedures and consider geographical, historical and public-interest factors before taking a decision.
