BENGALURU: Mayor Padmavathi’s proposal to name a major road in Rajajinagar constituency as ‘Freedom fighter Gopal Road’ has run into trouble. Gopal was the Mayor’s father, but BJP members allege that he was not a freedom fighter.
According to a public notification issued by BBMP on February 15 which has been published in a section of media, BBMP proposed to name the road in ward number 108 (Srirama Mandir ward) of Rajajinagar (36th cross of Rajajinagar second block to 10th main of 5th block Rajajinagar) as ‘Freedom fighter Gopal Road’.
Reacting to this, a few residents have now come forward to file an objection. “Some of us are filing an objection as we have not heard of this freedom fighter. In our area, we normally felicitate freedom fighters on Independence Day and we have never heard this name before. Many others have joined in filing objections since we have time till March 15,” said a resident.
Rajajinagar MLA Suresh Kumar too said he had not heard of the name before.
Local councillor Deepa Nagesh said that in her ward, Srirama Mandir ward, the temple itself is a landmark. “The road, playground, bus stop, everything is named after the temple. A change in the name might create confusion. So I am filing an objection,” she said.
Mayor G Padmavathi said her father Gopalappa passed away last year at the age of 92. She claimed he was a freedom fighter who spent a year in jail. She also said that he was the recipent of a distinguished state award. “I had proposed to keep his name when I was a second-time councillor between 1996 and 2001. But at that time it was rejected as the civic agency had taken a resolution not to name roads after those who are alive. His name was proposed again since he passed away last year,” she said.
“I am not proposing the name of a regular person. One should feel proud about freedom fighters. I am proud to say my father was among them. Those who are objecting are traitors. Are they Indians?” she questioned.