Mayor: No disputes over statue elsewhere

Mysuru: The city corporation has razed the disputed traffic island at Mathrumandali Junction following the controversy over renaming and installation of statutes.
The row erupted after two groups started demanding the civic authorities to name the circle after Dalit icon BR Ambedkar and poet laureate Kuvempu. In the first week of December, a few residents tried to install a bronze statue of Ambedkar at the circle, but the civic authorities and police denied permission, leading to protests in the locality.
To end further problems, the MCC authorities, after holding discussions with both the groups, took steps to remove flexes and demolish the circle on Thursday.
It may be recalled that in mid-September, the civic authorities had prevented installation of a statue of late actor Vishnuvardhan by his fans at Vishnuvardhan Park located near Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple at the Mysuru Palace North Gate.
Mayor Sunanda Palanetra told TOI that the authorities want people of all communities and religions to live in peace and harmony in the city. “We do not want people to clash in the name of caste and religion. There has been a demand from two groups to rename the Mathrumandali Junction after two great personalities. To resolve the issue, after discussion with community leaders, residents and local MLA, we demolished the junction,” she said.
Pointing out that there are no disputes on erecting statues in other circles in the city, the mayor said the officials are looking at developing one high-tech junction at a prominent place in all the 65 wards coming under MCC. “So a high-tech junction will be developed at Mathrumandali junction at a cost of around Rs 2.5 crore in a few months,” she said.
MCC, during the council meeting in 2000, had named the Kurubarahalli Junction (Jockey Quarters Circle) after 18th century freedom fighter Sangolli Rayanna. “However, recently some organisations have installed the statue of Sangolli Rayanna at the junction. As the situation in the state is still tense over miscreants damaging Rayanna statue at Belagavi, MCC has yet to take a decision on the issue,” a senior MCC official told TOI.
However, citizens told TOI that there are enough statues of great personalities in and around the city. “Instead of fighting for installing new statues, people must use the funds to repair and maintain the existing statues of their leaders. This will reduce the burden on MCC. The funds generated can also be used to help the financially poor children as preached by all the great personalities,” said Chandrashekar, a resident of Paduvarahalli, close to Mathrumandali Junction