The naming of an indoor sports complex beside Tumakuru’s Mahatma Gandhi District Stadium after Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has triggered a row, with the BJP saying that Gandhi’s name was being removed by supporters of Parameshwara—an allegation the minister has dismissed as baseless.
The controversy erupted on Monday evening, when BJP workers led by party MLAs B Suresh Gowda and G B Jyoti Ganesh protested in front of the stadium, contending that it was being renamed. The police detained around 30 people during the protest as they attempted to breach barricades.
“The Mahatma Gandhi Stadium is a 50-year-old ground in Tumakuru. Suddenly, they have put Parameshwara’s name in the stadium, which is very controversial. How the Government has taken this decision, we don’t know. Dr Parameshwara is a very humble and non-controversial man. He might not have taken this decision. His chelas have taken this decision,” Gowda told reporters on Monday.
Parameshwara said the facility named after him was “just a shed”. “Who removes the name of Mahatma Gandhi?… If someone claims that the Mahatma Gandhi stadium is being renamed, they should be mad,” heThe row comes days ahead of the state-level sports meet to be held at Tumakuru from January 16 to 22 told reporters on Tuesday.
Parameshwara said that it was sportspersons from Tumakuru who requested, in September 2025, that the indoor sports facility be named after him. He said the request was submitted without his knowledge, but added that it had cited his contributions like the upcoming international cricket stadium at Tumakuru, the development of the Mahatma Gandhi district stadium, and the tennis courts.
“If they (the BJP) are jealous that people are naming a shed near the stadium after me, what can I do?” Parameshwara asked.
The row comes days ahead of the state-level sports meet to be held at Tumakuru from January 16 to 22.
Tumakuru is in Parameshwara’s Koratagere Assembly constituency.
Curated by Aisha Patel
