‘Martyrs’ stone near Mysore Bank Circle on Kempegowda Road in Bengaluru. The stone was installed in 1972 in memory of freedom fighters felled by the bullets of British officers on August 16 and 17, 1942, in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN

The Martyrs’ Memorial near Mysore Bank Circle in Bengaluru has been overshadowed with the area around it allegedly being encroached upon by the Shanaishchara Temple Trust, which is constructing a huge statue in the space.

Social activists have expressed outrage over the failure of the government of Karnataka and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike to protect the memorial of those who sacrificed their lives for the country.

The statue, about 21 feet high, is being built. The temple trust is allegedly constructing it without taking permission from government authorities, including the BBMP.

The memorial was built on August 15, 1972, under the supervision of the Government of India, the State Government, and the erstwhile Bengaluru Municipal Corporation (now BBMP) as part of the silver jubilee of India’s independence. Owing to the ongoing construction of the statue, the monument is no longer visible to the public.

Naija Horatagarara Vedike, a forum of social activists, has written to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, and BBMP Commissioner on April 11, demanding protection to the memorial, stopping of the unauthorised construction work, and renaming Mysore Bank Circle as Swatantrya Veerara Chowk or Hutatma Chowk.

In the letter, the forum has stated that students of Central College sacrificed their lives during the struggle for freedom from the British, and alleged that the memorial of these martyred students is disappearing due to the actions of some vested interests.

“This is the place where these students laid their hearts on the British gun and died a heroic death. The memorial should be freed from the people who have illegally occupied it, rebuilt, and made available for public viewing. If not, our struggle will take the form of a movement,” an activist said.

History

Shamanna, Gundappa, Prahlad Shetty and G.V. Thirumalayya, students of the then Central College, who participated in the Quit India Movement called by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942, were killed by the British.

A ‘Martyrs’ Memorial’ was built at Mysore Bank Circle under the supervision of the Government of India in 1972 in memory of these martyred students, and to commemorate their sacrifice for the future generations.

Later, a Shanaischara temple was built on this site.

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Senior BBMP officials clarified to The Hindu that the statue being built is unauthorised, and no permission was given for its construction.

However, Somashekar, secretary of the temple trust, said, “Construction of the statue is going on with the help of devotees. No disturbance will be caused to the memorial of the freedom fighters.”

Asked about the lack of permission from the BBMP, he added, “This is God’s work. All temples and mosques are built in this way.”

Government negligence

Social activists have accused the government and BBMP of neglecting the memorial.

“In the past, veteran freedom fighter late H.S. Doreswamy had fought for preservation of this memorial. However, the BBMP and the government have failed to protect the memorial,” said H.M. Vekatesh, member of Naija Horatagarara Vedike.

“Previously, under pressure from activists, the BBMP conducted a joint survey of temples, including the memorial site, and prepared a report. However, it is hesitating to submit the report. We have filed an appeal with the Information Commissioner against the BBMP,” he added.

Hutatmara Smaraka Samrakshana Trust president M.S. Saravanan said, “The temple management should stop work on construction of the statue that is encroaching on the memorial. Steps should be taken to protect the memorial. A petition has been submitted to the government.”