On July 9, 2024, a proposal to incorporate Channapatna, Ramanagara, Magadi, Kanakapura and Harohalli in the Bengaluru South district with Ramanagara as its district headquarters was submitted by a group of MLAs led by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
In a few days time, the Revenue Department is expected to issue a notification after the renaming was approved by the Karnataka government for Ramanagara district to become Bengaluru South district.
The proposal has been also approved by cabinet that met on July 26. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil said that this decision is in line with demands made by people from the area and their representatives.
The Janata Dal (Secular) has opposed the move because they consider it to be politically motivated.
‘For future of Ramanagara’
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar led delegation had submitted it on July 9 when he proposed renaming it in front of CM Siddaramaiah. The idea was first floated by Mr. Shivakumar last October when he also became Ramangara’s minister-in-charge; he presented it to Mr. Siddaramaiah “keeping in view the development and future growth of Ramanagara.”
Mr. Shivakumar defended himself saying “Those from Doddaballapur, Devanahalli, Hoskote, Kanakapura, Ramanagar, Channapatna, Magadi are all Bangaloreans at heart.”
Oppn alleges hatred towards Lord Ram
During that time there were demonstrations against Mishra as well as counter-demonstrations in his support.
This proposal came just before the Channapatna byelection which offended BJP-JD(S) combine. Whose previous coalition government under former CM H.D Kumaraswamy created it in 2007.
BJP had objected to naming Ramanagara district, alleging that the “design of the Congress government smacks of hatred towards Lord Rama and the lure of real estate”.
