Mangaluru: The St Aloysius College students organised a symbolic protest against renaming the stretch from Hampanakatta to Ambedkar Circle as “Mulki Sundararama Shetty Road” by Mangaluru City Corporation as per the government orders.

President of St. Aloysius College Alumni Association, Dr. Richard Gonsalves, speaking on the occasion said, “For several years, the stretch between Hampankatte and Ambedkar Circle has been called St. Aloysius College Road. Now the government has passed an order to rename this road as Mulki Sundararama Shetty Road. Saint Aloysius College has done immense service to the humanity from the past several years. It is apt to have named a road after the this institution. The world recognises this college as one of the leading institutions. In the 1970s itself, the then municipal corporation had named the road as Saint Aloysius Road. Now, after 47 years, the Mangaluru City Corporation has taken a decision to rename this road, without contacting the institution or taking permission from it. SAC administration, staff and students are deeply hurt by this decision of the government and Mangaluru City Corporation. The inaugural which was scheduled for today has been postponed to July 2.”

He also said that MCC and the government would be urged to let the stretch remain as SAC Road.

Dr. N G Mohan, President of SACCA who lauded Mulki Sundararama Shetty for his contributions in the banking sector, said, “We are not against naming any other road as Mulki Sundararama Shetty Road but naming the SAC road is unjustified.”

He also said that though the political representatives had agreed to their demand, the government and MCC, without bringing it to the notice of college administration had unfortunately moved to rename the road. “If the government goes ahead with the decision, we will hold vociferous protests involving students, staff and alumni”, he warned.

Dr. Praveen Martis SJ, Principal of St. Aloysius College said, “We are deeply pained by the decision of the government. Restoring the name of the stretch as St. Aloysius College Road it is fair considering the history and contribution of the college. We will struggle till justice is meted.”

M Naraharari, Registrar of Aloysius College; Arman Ahmed, President of Student Council and others were present.