Open to renaming GBA: D K Shivakumar on 'ignoring Kannada' remarks

Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said the government is open to renaming the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) after criticism that Kannada was ignored in the title.

He said the objection was mainly over the word ‘Greater’, which many felt could have been avoided. Shivakumar urged citizens to suggest alternatives.

"There is no question of ignoring the mother tongue. Kannada is the administrative language of the state. If we find a better word for GBA, I am ready to change it. The same situation has happened in other places, including Mumbai," he said.

On September 2, after the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike ceased to exist, workers replaced the BBMP board with that of GBA late in the night. Soon after, netizens argued that the new name should have been entirely in Kannada.

Others contended that ‘Greater’ reflects Bengaluru’s global stature, noting that cities such as Chennai and Hyderabad also use it.