Karnataka Renames University After Manmohan Singh
Bengaluru City University honors late PM’s legacy.
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed a bill on Tuesday to rename Bengaluru City University as Dr. Manmohan Singh Bengaluru City University, paying tribute to the former Prime Minister who passed away on December 26, 2024. The decision, formalized through the Karnataka State Universities (Amendment) Act, 2025, recognizes Singh’s pivotal role in India’s economic liberalization and his contributions to Bengaluru’s infrastructure, including the Bangalore–Electronic City Elevated Highway and Namma Metro, both initiated in 2006 during his tenure.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who announced the renaming during his March 7, 2025, budget speech, emphasized transforming the university into a model institution. The state-run university, established in 2017 as Bengaluru Central University and renamed in 2020, will integrate Government Arts College and Government R.C. College as constituent colleges to enhance its academic offerings.
The move has sparked debate, with the opposition BJP arguing that a new university should be created to honor Singh rather than renaming an existing one. Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka stated, “Naming an existing university does not fully honor Dr. Manmohan Singh’s legacy.” BJP MLA Suresh Gowda proposed renaming Tumkur University after Shivakumar Swamiji, revered as ‘Nadedaduva Devaru’ (walking God), to reflect local cultural icons.
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Supporters highlight Singh’s contributions to Bengaluru, including laying the foundation for the Bengaluru Metro and key highway projects, which cemented the city’s status as a global tech hub. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar earlier announced plans for a research center at Bangalore University to study Singh’s economic reforms, underscoring his lasting impact on India’s development.
However, critics, including some academicians, have suggested naming the university after Dr. V.K.R.V. Rao, a Bengaluru-born economist who mentored Singh and founded key institutions like the Institute for Social and Economic Change. They argue Rao’s local roots make him a more fitting choice. The renaming has also faced online backlash, with some questioning the choice of a national figure over Kannada icons.
The decision, approved by the Congress-majority cabinet in July, marks the first university in India to bear Singh’s name, reflecting Karnataka’s commitment to honoring his legacy while fueling ongoing discussions about regional identity and representation.
