Mangaluru: In a bold move to boost its public image, Dakshina Kannada district may soon be renamed Mangaluru, after its vibrant coastal headquarters. Officials believe the city’s wider recognition could help draw trade, talent, tourists, and investors. But this rebranding attempt comes amidst a fraught history — the district has witnessed 18 political murders over 15 years, casting a long communal shadow.
To address this, the Congress-led Karnataka government recently launched a Special Action Force (SAF). Its goal? Restore peace and public confidence. Comprising trained personnel across Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Shivamogga, SAF will monitor hate speech, public unrest, and social media — all to ensure communal harmony.
The Opposition BJP, however, slammed the move as minority appeasement, citing alleged pressure from Muslim leaders within Congress. Their reaction follows a string of retaliatory killings, including the murder of a mosque secretary, allegedly by Bajrang Dal members, and a suspected revenge killing linked to the banned Popular Front of India (PFI).
The renaming proposal was discussed in a recent DISHA meeting, potentially inspired by Ramanagara being renamed Bengaluru South earlier this year. With a GDDP of ₹1.25 lakh crore, Dakshina Kannada ranks second only to Bengaluru, and its leaders see rebranding as the next logical step.
Yet, communal tension remains the biggest roadblock to the district’s aspirations of becoming the “Silicon Beach of India.” Officials like Police Commissioner Sudhir Reddy stress that law enforcement remains neutral, but communal bias — even within the police — has drawn criticism.
Observers say that real progress lies not just in changing names, but in changing narratives. If peace and law enforcement efforts like SAF succeed, Mangaluru could indeed emerge as Karnataka’s next big growth hub.