Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has strongly condemned the Karnataka Congress government's proposal to rename Bengaluru's Shivajinagar metro station after St Mary. The move stems from a request made to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during the annual feast at St Mary’s Basilica, which Deputy CM DK Shivakumar claimed was a normal response to community requests. Fadnavis asserted that this decision constitutes an "insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," a figure he described as "highly revered across the country and world".

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Fadnavis labelled the decision "unwarranted" and linked it to a "long and past tradition" of the Congress party insulting the Maratha warrior king. He specifically referenced comments made by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, against Shivaji Maharaj in his book "The Discovery of India". Fadnavis publicly prayed for Siddaramaiah to gain "good sense" and avoid a decision based on religion that he warned could be "detrimental for society and promote enmity amongst people".

The Maharashtra CM's stern rebuke comes amidst broader political commentary, though his primary focus remained on upholding the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The controversy highlights tensions over cultural and historical symbols in public spaces.