Mangaluru: Students and staff from St Aloysius Institutions on Saturday joined in thousands to protest against the renaming of the St.Aloysius College road to “Mulky Sunderam Shetty road”.

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 here on Saturday.

Prior to the protest march, addressing the gathering in College premises, principal of St Aloysius College (Autonomous) Dr. Richard Gonsalves, president of St. Aloysius Alumni Association, said that, “For several years, the stretch between Hampankatta and Ambedkar Circle has been called as St. Aloysius College Road. Now the government wants to rename this road as “Mulki Sundararama Shetty Road.” It is apt to name a road after this institution. The municipal corporation in 1970 had named the road as St Aloysius Road. Now, after 47 years, the MCC decides to rename this road. SAC administration, staff and students are deeply hurt by this decision of the government and MCC.”

Late Mulky Sundararama Shetty, MD of Vijaya Bank has indeed contributed a lot towards the development of the bank. During his tenure, he has helped many people to get jobs in the bank. His work has been commendable, without downplaying his achievements, the change called for, in this case, is unjustifiable. The MLAs and MLCs also supported the government and corporation without enquiring with us. We will have to take stronger measures to restore the prestige of the college,” said Richard Gonsalves, vice principal of the LLR block in the college.

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 met.”

The renaming ceremony will be held on July 2 and will be inaugrated by District in-charge minister Ramanath Rai , MCC Mayor Kavitha Sanil, DC Dr K G Jagadeesh, Police Commissioner R Suresh, Minister of Food and Civil Supplies U T Khader, Commissioner of MCC Mohammed Nazir, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLAs Moideen Bava and J R Lobo, MLC Ivan D’Souza Chief of MCC , Mahabala Maarla, Dr N Vinaya Hegde, Dr Mohan Alva, A J Shetty, A Sadananda Shetty, Ajith Kumar Rai Maladi, Former Minister K Amarnath Shetty, Regional corporator Vinaya Raj and many other dignitaries are invited to the inaugural function.