The demand to rename districts and cities in Uttar Pradesh has once again gained momentum. BJP MLA Ketki Singh, representing the Bansdih assembly constituency in Ballia district, has written a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath requesting the renaming of Ghazipur district.
Lucknow: BJP MLA Ketki Singh from the Bansdih assembly constituency in Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh, has raised the demand to rename Ghazipur district. She has urged the central and state governments to rename Ghazipur after Maharishi Gautam, the father of Maharishi Parashuram. Providing information about this on Monday, MLA Ketki Singh stated that she has also written a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in this regard.
Demand to Rename Ghazipur Gains Traction
MLA Ketki Singh stated that the name Ghazipur reminds us of invaders and it is necessary to change it. She said, "I would request the Yogi Adityanath government and the Center to change all such names that remind us of our historical blemishes and glorify invaders. Such names should be removed and the district should be named after great personalities and icons." She claimed that Ghazipur's history is linked to Maharishi Gautam and therefore, renaming the district after him would be appropriate.
The MLA recalled that earlier Allahabad was renamed Prayagraj. Similarly, Ghazipur should also be given a new name considering its historical and cultural significance. "When Allahabad can be made Prayagraj, why can't Ghazipur be renamed after Maharishi Gautam?" – Ketki Singh
Future Generations Will Be Inspired
Ketki Singh says that renaming will not only preserve historical identity but will also inspire future generations. "A country that forgets its history cannot build a future. Future generations should be aware of their roots," she said. In the letter and in media interactions, the BJP MLA also questioned the history of the Mughals.
She said, "We read in books that Akbar was great. But his greatness was written on the corpses of millions of Hindus." She says that now is the time for changes in history and geography that give respect to true heroes and great personalities.
Shahjahanpur Issue Had Also Heated Up
Earlier, former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and BJP leader Uma Bharti had also raised the demand to rename Shahjahanpur district in Bareilly. She had said that the names of districts and cities named after Mughal rulers should be changed and linked to India's cultural heritage. Although there has been no official reaction from the opposition on this matter so far, it is believed that parties like Samajwadi Party and Congress will oppose this demand.
The opposition has generally maintained that renaming does not lead to development, rather the government should focus on employment and basic amenities. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's government has already made several major name changes. Allahabad was renamed Prayagraj and Faizabad was made Ayodhya.
