Cheap & Shameful! Dirty Road Politics in Times of the Pandemic Renaming SAC Rd to MSR Shetty Rd

Cheap & Shameful! Dirty Road Politics in Times of the Pandemic Renaming ‘St Aloysius College Road’ to ‘Mulky Sunder Ram Shetty Road’

Mangaluru: Tit-for-tat, as they say, following the renaming ceremony of “Mulky Sunder Ram Shetty Road by Mangaluru City Corporation, in association with Vijaya Bank Retd Employees’ Association this morning, 23 September 2020 at 9 am, the management of St Aloysius Institutions, Mangaluru, existing since 140 years which has educated over six lakhs students, serving in various capacities across the universe, held a press meet to brief the media personnel about the real facts of this Road Renaming Issue, and also about the undemocratic and cheap politics played by the elected representatives of a certain party, and its supporters. (Ref :Govt/MCC has ‘Humbugged’ St Aloysius Institutions in Renaming SAC Road to MSR Shetty Road )

In his opening remarks, Dr Alwyn D’sa- Controller of Examinations and Registrar In-Charge at St Aloysius College said, “We were shell shocked to receive the news report of the renaming of the disputed Road from Hampankatta through Light House Hill road till Ambedkar Circle as ‘Mulky Sundar Ram Shetty Road. This draconian decision has hurt the sentiments of thousands of passionate admirers of St Aloysius College Educational Institutions, and also it has been proved beyond doubt that the said road was named “St Aloysius College Road” in 1976 by the Mangalore Municipality under the Presidentship of former MLA (late) Blasius D’Souza”.

“The Management of the College was successful in bringing the Stay Order on 01-07-2017 to the order of the state Government issued on 24-05-2017 stating the renaming of the said road as Mulki Sundar Ram Shetty Road. In response, the Vijaya Bank Employees’ Association filed a Writ Appeal against the Stay Order which was turned down by the Honourable High Court of Karnataka. The judgement delivered on 11 April, 2019, the honourable High Court of Karnataka had directed the civic authorities to call both parties concerned and reach an amicable settlement. St Aloysius College management, in its memorandum submitted on 19 February, 2020, also had made a plea to involve the College in all the future deliberations on the issue. St Aloysius Institutions has been sidelined , isolated and socially distanced in road renaming. But we are not giving up the fight until justice is served, and we request the media to help us in giving the maximum coverage about real and true facts of this issue”

Fr Melwin Joseph Pinto SJ, the newly appointed Rector, a just yesterday, who was unfortunate to face this situation, briefing the media said, ” It is indeed undemocratic and unjust to take a unilateral decision to revoke the order which was rightfully and contested by us, without taking us into confidence which amounts to non – compliance of the directives contained in the order of the high court and our request. It should be noted that St Aloysius College is a 140 year old institution which has formed thousands of men and women of great eminence. Sri T M A Pai, George Fernandes, present Attorney General of India, K Venugopal, Vinaya Hegde, Justice Santhosh Hegde, K V Kamath and many other prominent alumni have excelled in their fields and have grown to international eminence”

Rector further said, “The institution which forms these eminent personalities and serving the cause of education for 140 long years cannot be overlooked in preference to one individual. Moreover, the Vijaya Bank Workers’ Organization, which has been pursuing the renaming process, may not enjoy any ‘Locus Standi'( the right or capacity to bring an action or to appear in a court) as the bank is already merged with Bank of Baroda. We would also like to bring to your kind notice that we were always willing for negotiations and dialogue. We feel a malicious design by the strong and the influential who claim to believe in equality of rights and opportunities. This clandestine and undemocratic decision and the overnight preparation for the inauguration of the said Road have deeply pained us”.

“It is a very sad thing to see that at a time of great uncertainties and anxieties regarding the pandemic, a sudden and silent decision circumventing the legal procedures would definitely mean there are unseen hands that would create disharmony in the society. The time of the pandemic was an opportunity for reconciliation and a time to demonstrate solidarity among people. This unexpected ruling proves that the pandemic has been utilized to settle the dispute unceremoniously. In addition it also is a scheme to divert public attention from the real issues and concerns posed by the pandemic. If you look around, we observe a clear pattern in the scheme of things that are happening in the city of Mangaluru which is known for peace and harmony for centuries” added Rector.

Before concluding he said, “Hence we strongly feel that the truth regarding the issue concerned has to be brought to light and the people of Mangaluru have a right to know the truth behind this manner of isolating the parties concerned from the due processes of arriving at amicable settlements of disputes among people. This may be the harbinger of several such undemocratic and unilateral decisions in the future too. We request the government and civic authorities to take a serious note of this incident that has disturbed us and questioned the fundamental understanding of justice and democratic values and reconsider the decision and ensure that due justice is meted out to our cause. We humbly seek support and cooperation from the media personnel, in spreading the right and truthful facts on this renaming issue”

Also speaking, Dr N G Mohan- Former president of St Aloysius College Alumni/ae Association said, ” We all respect Mulki Sundararama Shetty for his contribution made to the society,and he being an alumnus of this institution. As a chairman of Vijaya Bank, he was an instrument in providing jobs to many people. We have no objection in naming a street in his name, but our concern is that, why are they renaming a street which has been named after this prestigious institution for decades. Why couldn’t the Bank Association and others associated with them, including the politicians, changed their mind and rename the road from Jyothi Circle to Bunts Hostel, after all their Founder’s Branch is nearby to this road. Even though we had made several requests to the concerned people in this regard, it has gone in vain. We will not give up our fight till we get justice in getting back the old name of St Aloysius College Road “.

Dr Denis Fernandes- Principal in-charge and Director of Arrupe Block; Santhosh Kumar Kadri-president of SACAA, Gavin Abner Pinto- Students’ Council President, were present on the dais. Dr Richard Gonsalves, Dr Loveena Lobo, Dr Norbert Lobo, Dr John D’silva-all faculty of the college; many Jesuit priests and well-wishers, among others were also present. The vote of thanks was proposed by Gavin Pinto, and the press meet was compered by Naveen Mascarenhas- faculty in department of Computer Science.

In conclusion, in my perspective, Is this what you call democracy? Even though this road is named as Light House Road earlier, one should know that no one knew about Light House until the Jesuits came and started education on this hill. Just because someone became a Chairman of a Bank, offered many jobs, that doesn’t mean that every road in the City has to be renamed after this soul. Even the Jesuit priests and others appreciate the good work done by Sunder Ram Shetty, and feel proud that he was also an alumnus of St Aloysius. One should also appreciate the amount of sacrifice the Jesuit Priests have done in educating thousands and thousands of students, who have now in various professions worldwide. The sacrifice and dedication rendered by the Jesuits is 100 times more than the Chairman of a Bank or any other person”.

It is learnt that The Bank Workers association were demanding in 2017, to show a proof that St Aloysius College Road was accepted by MCC- for their kind information, MCC didn’t even exist 30 years ago. People should know that yeomen contribution has been done by the Jesuit Fathers . Education happens not just inside the class room, but also on the campus. Even though they have succeeded in renaming the road today, the concerned people and fans of St Aloysius Institutions will fight back until the road name is back to its original. If ‘St Aloysius College Road’ can be changed to ‘Mulky Sundar Ram Shetty Road” by them, the Jesuits, the alumnus, well-wishers of this prestigious 140-year old institution should try hard that “Mulky Sundar Ram Shetty Road” is changed back to “St Aloysius College Road” – and it is possible if there is a WILL , there will be a WAY, done in a Democratic and Sincere Way, and not like what we saw this morning, renaming the Road using cheap and dirty politics.

140 years ago the Jesuits Fathers came here and changed the whole atmosphere here with divine plus human efforts. Bureaucrats, politicians, association leaders should know that Jesuits came here first, and not that Great Banker. I do respect M S Shetty for his efforts in employing many people, but at the same time, people should also realize that thousands of students have exited through this institution, and are now enjoying good posts all around the world. And for that matter, as an alumni of this institution, and like many other alumni, I feel proud to have this road named as ‘St Aloysius College Road’-as it was before.

The Jesuit priests are making a humble request without stepping into protests or more controversies, so MCC and political leaders considering this should change their minds and retain the old road marker as it was. I am not blaming anyone nor I am against MS Shetty- but being an alumni of this prestigious institution and in the interest of other old students of SAC and citizens of Mangaluru, I feel however its not a fitting tribute to MS Shetty by changing the name of a road, which has existed and associated for years with ” St. Aloysius College”. MCC can think of a “better idea” in finding a “Better Road or a Place” to be named after MS Shetty, rather than get into further hassles and controversies.