Mangaluru: St Aloysius College has formed an action committee headed by St Aloysius College Alumni Association (SACAA) to solve the name of lighthouse hill road as ‘St Aloysius College Road,’ said College registrar A M Narahari on Friday.

“An action committee has been formed for further action plans, moves to retain the name ‘St Aloysius College Road’ from Catholic Club to Ambedkar Circle. It may be recalled that due to the protest organized by St Aloysius College, the Karnataka government issued a temporary stay to the process of renaming St Aloysius College Road as Mulki Sundaram Shetty road on July 01. It was mentioned that under the leadership of district-in-charge minister, Ramanath Rai, the district administration will initiate talks with both Vijaya Bank Employees Union and St Aloysius College to find an amicable settlement for the issue.”

“With an intention of giving respect and cooperation to the process of finding a solution to the problem, St Aloysius College restrained from precipitating the issue further through any agitational programme in the last few weeks. However, a few Organisations like Bunt’s Sangha have started making wild allegations against the college and also against the respected legislators that they have communalized and politicized the issue.”

The college is known for harmony with high secular credentials. There is only one community in St Aloysius that is St Aloysius Community. We have tried to find a consensus three times so far. Mulki Sunder Ram Shetty was a student of this insititute, so there is no question of us wanting to disrespect him. We Had held the protest earleir to voice our dissent, and are not for conflict with any community.

“A few organizations especially the Bunts Yane Nadavara Sangha have been misleading the general public through such baseless allegations instead of cooperating for finding an amicable settlement. Ironically, the statements being issued by these organisations, the background of the people issuing such statements and the statements of a few political parties will clearly prove about who is indulging in communal politics and who is politicizing the issue. Such irresponsible acts are creating more hurdles than finding solutions. The same Organizations had earlier thwarted the sincere efforts of JR Lobo and the city Mayor by rejecting the appeal to come for talks, are now finding fault with St Aloysius college for organizing the protest programme,” the college said in a statement.

“A meeting of the newly constituted action committee will be held on July 29to chalk out the future course of action. There is no question of succumbing to any threats of agitation. We are determined to fight out democratically till the name of ‘St Aloysius College Road’ is retained. However, the committee expresses confidence in the leadership of Ramanath Rai, JR Lobo, MLA, Ivan D’Souza, MLC and others who will extend all possible cooperation in helping to find a solution to the problem acceptable to both the parties,” it said.

“The action committee will be forced to launch counter measures if other organisations do not cooperate with the process of amicable settlement,” it concluded.

St Aloysius College principal Fr Praveen Martis, Action Committee convenor N G Mohan, alumna Sumitra, college pupil president Aman Ahmed, alumna Michelle D’Souza were present at the meet.