It may be ‘New’ Delhi, but the accent is on the old, as the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) stoked a controversy asking for a name change of the capital. The VHP wrote to Delhi Culture Minister Kapil Mishra demanding that the city be renamed ‘Indraprastha’ to connect it with its ancient history and culture.
The letter also demands renaming Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI Airport) as Indraprastha International Airport, Delhi railway station as Indraprastha railway station and Shahjahanabad Development Board as Indraprastha Development Board, reports stated.
The VHP Delhi prant secretary Surendra Kumar Gupta said in the letter that the name of Delhi “should be changed back to Indraprastha” so that the name of the capital can be associated with its “ancient history and culture”. It is believed that a city called Indraprastha mentioned in the Mahabharata corresponds to modern-day Delhi.
Shriraj Nair, VHP national spokesperson from Mumbai and joint secretary of the organisation’s Konkan chapter, defended the demand while disagreeing with accusations that name changes were a distraction from matters of greater importance and urgency.
Why this sudden demand to change Delhi’s name? It is creating unnecessary controversy…
It is not controversial, nor is it unnecessary. Bharat stands as a testament to the enduring power of its ancient culture and civilisation. Our nation’s history stretches back millennia, marked by a continuity that has weathered countless storms. The Independence we achieved in 1947 was not the birth of a new nation but the reaffirmation of a civilisation that has thrived for ages. There is a realisation, and there must be recognition of that.
Yes, we got Independence in 1947, so why all these suggestions/demands for name changes after so many years…
So many years are testament to Bharat’s resilience and its ability to withstand the brutal invasions of Islamic conquerors and the colonial masters who followed. For several years after that, we had a government with a mindset as an extension of the British and our colonial past. That is no longer true since 2014. We have to pay tribute to a civilisation that refused to be erased.
By changing names all the time, are we erasing an undeniable part of our past/history?
The names of our cities are not mere labels but reflectors of our glorious past. They echo the stories of our ancestors, their wisdom, and their contributions to the world. It is essential that we honour this heritage with self-respect and self-esteem, rather than glorifying those who came as conquerors. Invaders cannot write our history, and our legacy is not defined by the histories of our invaders.
Who invaded Delhi specifically, and do we really need this name change?
Why was the name of Bombay changed to Mumbai? Because of Mumbadevi. Why did Madras become Chennai? Why did Trivandrum become Thiruvananthapuram? There are other examples. To move forward, we must reconnect with the roots. By doing so, we not only honour our past but also empower our present and future.
There are accusations that demands for name changes are mere distractions, taking away from real issues like tackling crime, price rise, infrastructure, and so many problems, even geopolitical issues…
They are not distractions. Infrastructure and development are moving along with our resolve to hold on to our identity; we do not want to become apologetic about it. We have authorities to look after law and order and other issues, even globally, and we have our government leaders reaffirming India’s growing stature in the world. We have our own heroes and need to celebrate them and acknowledge our spiritual depth. Let us not get swayed by left-wing narratives. I reiterate: demands for name change are not distractions but work, too.
