scott bevan of abc australia's "lateline" program reports is it history or heresy? >> reporter: busy commuters in kurskaya metro station are being stopped in their tracks by a freshly painted name from the past. a name that still divides the nation. >> translator: he is a good person, a very nice person. who helped lots of people. >> everybody knows stalin was not -- not gentleman. >> reporter: josef stalin was the soviet's leader for a quarter of a century. this station was built during his rule, and as part of the lavish restoration of the 60-year-old building, a line from the national anthem of the time has reappeared in the entrance hall after being removed about half a century ago. "we were raised by stalin to be loyal to the people," it reads. "he inspired our work and heroic deeds." >> i think it must be here because it's our history. >> not good for russians, not for russians, for not everyone in the world. >> reporter: those who have worked on the project say the restoration isn't meant to be political. >> translator: it's paying trkt tribute and showing re