Martyrs’ Memorial near Mysore Bank Circle in Bengaluru encroached upon

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.

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.