Calls to rename Belgaum’s Sambra Airport in honor of Rani Channamma of Kittur have resurfaced, ahead of the 200th anniversary of her triumph over the British.
The government marks Kittur Utsav every year on October 23 to honor Rani Channamma’s victory. Rajya Sabha member Iranna Kadadi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting approval to rename Belgaum Airport as Veera Rani Kittur Channamma Airport.
Former Union Minister, the late Suresh Angadi, proposed this idea during the inauguration of the airport’s first passenger terminal in 2017. The HD Kumaraswamy government had also endorsed the proposal to the Centre, but it was rejected by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in 2018. Since then, no further actions have been taken on this matter.
Rajya Sabha member Iranna Kadadi has renewed efforts on the proposal. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Kadadi urged for the installation of a statue of Channamma at the airport’s entrance and proposed naming the airport after her.
In his letter, Kadadi also urged that the celebration of Rani Channamma’s 200th-year victory over the British be declared a National Festival. He emphasized the significance of informing the younger generation about Channamma’s courage in challenging the British empire, highlighting her assassination of British collector John Thackeray on October 23, 1824, as a pivotal moment in history.
Iranna Kadadi, speaking to the media, expressed his commitment to securing approval for renaming Belgaum Airport after Rani Channamma and designating the celebration of her 200th victory year as a national festival. However, local residents of Sambra have voiced opposition to the name change, citing the airport’s association with their village. Farmers argue that since they lost significant land for the airport’s construction, the airport should retain the name of their village.
