Bengaluru University renamed amid fierce opposition

Despite strong opposition from the Kannada community, the Karnataka government has moved forward with its decision to rename Bengaluru City University after former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The proposal, first announced in the March 2025 state budget and formalized during a cabinet meeting on June 2, has sparked widespread criticism across social media and local platforms.

Kannada groups argue that renaming the institution undermines regional identity and disregards local cultural icons who have made significant contributions to Karnataka’s academic and linguistic heritage. Protesters have demanded that the university be named after eminent Kannada scholars like Kuvempu, G.P. Rajaratnam, or D.R. Bendre instead.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defended the move, stating, “As a Kannadiga and a public representative, it is my duty to honor Dr. Manmohan Singh, an economist and leader who played a key role in Bengaluru’s development as India’s IT hub.” He added that the renaming decision was approved in a special cabinet session held at Nandigiri Dham.

Many residents, however, view the decision as politically motivated and tone-deaf to public sentiment. “This is not just a name change. A university represents the spirit of a state and its values. Dr. Singh has contributed nationally, but what has he done specifically for Kannada language or Karnataka?” asked a local resident. While the government has not indicated any plans to reverse the decision, the growing backlash has added fuel to ongoing debates around language, identity, and regional representation in public institutions. Protests are likely to continue.