Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (PMD)
Mangaluru, Jun 29: The students and staff of St Aloysius College (Autonomous) staged a big protest against the renaming of St Aloysius College Road, in the Eric Mathias Hall on campus on Thursday, June 29.
Hundreds of students were present with placards, voicing their dissent.
The protest also took to social media, where pictures and feeds converged on instagram with the hashtag #SACroad.
"Mulky Sundararama Shetty, who was the managing director of Vijaya Bank has indeed contributed a lot toward the development of the bank. During his tenure, many people got jobs in the bank. He is instrumental in obtaining jobs for scores of people from this district as well. His work has been commendable, without downplaying his achievements, the change called for, in this case, is unjustifiable. The stretch of road from Ambedkar Circle to Bunts Hostel can be named after him. Around 1970, Light House Hill Road was renamed St Aloysius College Road. Recently, we went with a compromise proposal, but the union vouching for change rejected it. Many local MLAs and MLCs also supported the government and corporation without enquiring with us, and gave the change in road name a go signal. We will have to take stronger measures to restore the prestige of the college," said Richard Gonsalves, vice principal of the LLR block in the college, expressing deep hurt by the staff members, students, and management.
"I was impressed by two placards by students, about this being 'not just about the road, but the respect you give to St Aloysius'. We are not making society and the government responsible for naming the road after institute. But asking them whether the change from its current name is justifiable. Former students must join hands to fight this," urged N G Mohan, former president of SACAA.
Democracy and technicalities
"This move is elusive to democracy. This sort of democracy does not give you opportunities. The police say that we cannot protest. But we are holding peaceful protest within the campus, so why not? They speak of technicalities. They ask where is the record. This institute was started in 1880, and the corporation asks for records. Speaking of technicalities, where was the MCC 40 years ago? It was just a municipal office. And yet they ask us for records. There was a press conference by Vijaya Bank too, recently, asking if there were any records. The Jesuits came to the Light House Hill Road 137 years back. It was a barren land then, on which they created a sea of humanity. Jesuits' innumerable sacrifices for the institution are being sidelined by the politicians who only profess their own list of works. This is a good farewell message too for students that 'one should have a value based life for everyone else sake'. The change of road name has been strategically placed on a Sunday, but we will show our strength in numbers through former students, staff, families of students against this. Let us not depend on a minister or MLA, but strive together for the cause. The stretch was, is and will always be SAC road," said Dr A M Narahari, registrar of the college.
Student president Aman gave an electric speech on what the institute meant to him as a student, one among the generations of students, who has been enriched by the institute. He demanded respect where it was due. Students together chanted the three magical letters 'SAC' in a powerful chorus, ringing loud and clear, the sound of protest.
Fr Dr Praveen Martis, principal of the college concluded, urging students past and present to join in the protest without fear, to keep the honour of the institute, and to uphold natural justice. This momentous struggle will be etched in the history of the institute as of one the great victories.
He clarified that showing regard for section 144, and thereby honouring the law of the land, the protest was held within the campus.
The official renaming of the stretch to Mulky Sundararama Shetty road has been postponed from Jun 29, but would take place on Sunday, July 2, it was informed at the protest.