BENGALURU: The state government’s decision to shift University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE) from KR Circle to Jnana Bharathi campus is being seen by the alumni as a move to benefit the real estate lobby.During a protest against the shifting of UVCE organised by All India Democratic Students Organisation on Thursday, hundreds of alumni gathered and raised their voice.
G Satish Kumar, a 1996 batch student and an IT professional, said, “The government has not said what it will do with the existing campus. It seems like a big real estate lobby is behind the shifting as the college is located in the heart of the city.”
K Radakrishna, a 1976 batch student said, “We are not sure what they are going to do with this building. We have verified all the records but there is no word about the future of this heritage structure.”
Ramamohan Shetty, 1964 batch student who is in the aviation industry said, “It hurts to see the pathetic condition of the building. Do they have plans to commercialise it by dismantling the old structure?” A current UVCE student said, “This college is in the heart of the city and has good connectivity. There is no doubt that some real estate people are behind its shifting.”
The UVCE Alumni Association has decided to meet the Higher Education Minister and the Chief Minister to request them to cancel the shifting. Association president Vasudeva Sharma said, “We will meet the Chief Minister and request him to retain the structure.”
Old-timers join protest
The protest to save UVCE at KR Circle campus received support from alumni from across the globe. While some joined the protest, some supported the cause by posting pictures on social media holding placards supporting UVCE.
Many alumni who are in their 80s also joined the protest after reading media reports about the protest. Rangaswamy B S (83), a retired general manager of ITI and a 1955 batch student said, “This is a college which Sir M Visvesvaraya visited and many have fond memories about it. It is a heritage building and it should remain as it is.”
Prof K Chidanand Gowda, former V-C of Kuvempu University and a 1964 batch student, addressed the protestors and said, “The state government should add more departments and develop this campus. If they want, let them start another engineering college at JB campus. The Chief Minister should intervene and stop the process.”