Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Jul 1: Students, staff and the management of St Aloysius Institutions on Saturday July 1 gathered in huge numbers to register their strong protest against the renaming of St Aloysius College Road as Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty Road after the former chairman of Vijaya Bank.
Students of St Aloysius schools, PU, degree and post-graduate courses along with staff, management and even alumni joined the protest in thousands and marched through the St Aloysius College Road to Town Hall and back to the College premises.
Prior to the protest march, addressing the gathering at the College premises, principal of St Aloysius College (Autonomous) Fr Praveen Martis said, "We are deeply hurt with the decision to rename St Aloysius College Road as Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty Road. This College has vast history of 137 years and is one of the heritage institutions of Mangaluru. This was St Aloysius College Road and it will forever be St Aloysius College Road.
"We have gathered here in large number for the protest march from St Aloysius College to Town Hall. This will be a peaceful and non-violent protest march demanding justice and retention of the name of St Aloysious College Road," he added.
Chief whip of Legislative Council MLC Ivan D'Souza said, "This College is 137 years old. St Aloysius College Road has existed from the past several years. We all know this road is named after St Aloysius. It is painful to see that scores of students need to gather here and demand retention of the road named after St Aloysius College which is known across the world. We belong to one family and being an ex-Aloysian, I will definitely raise my voice in the Legislative session regarding this."
Rector of St Aloysius College Fr Dionysius Vaz said, "This is not just a road but mark of a respect toward the institution. I want the city to give due respect to the institution for its service during the past 137 years. As you know, all roads in the city lead to St Aloysius. I thank each and every organisation for collabarating with us. This protest will be a peaceful one demanding the justice."
A pledge was taken by all those present in the protest to fight till justice is done.
Catholic Sabha Mangaluru president Anil Lobo, former president of Konkani Sahitya Academy Roy Castelino and many others were present.
In a press note, the college urged the authorities concerned not to allow the road renaming ceremony on July 2 and said, "St Aloysius College strongly condemns the private parties inaugurating the roads within Mangaluru City Corporation jurisdiction. Only Mangaluru City Corporation should officially organize road inauguration if any. Private party inauguration is illegal and unacceptable. We make an appeal to the district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai, legislators, corporators and other dignitaries not to legitimize an irregular programme by attending it."
The college also informed that as the police department has requested the college not to have human chain protest on Sunday as planned, the scheduled programme has been deferred. "The core committee will chalk out the future course of action after waiting for positive response from Mangaluru City Corporation and government of Karnataka," the release stated.