New Delhi: Days after the Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) asked the Aam Aadmi Party led Delhi government to rename 40 villages with “Mughal-era” names after the country’s freedom fighters and martyrs, it has now requested the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to rename roads with “Mughal” names under its jurisdiction.
In a letter to NDMC chairman Tuesday, Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta has suggested that Akbar Road, Babar Lane, Humayun Road, Shahjahan Road, Aurangzeb Lane and even Tughlaq Road, named after a different dynasty, be renamed. ThePrint has accessed the letter.
Though this is not the first time the BJP has suggested renaming these roads, it is the first time the Delhi unit has officially written to the NDMC with a list of names.
“Even after so many years of independence, even today the names of some of the roads of Delhi give us a glimpse of the Mughal-era slavery. We have identified some such roads and are sending it to you. These roads require immediate renaming,” Gupta said in his letter.
“This moment is a moment of pride for all of us, as the entire country is celebrating the 400th Prakash Parv of the 10th Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The Khalsa Panth, most important in Sikh history, was founded by Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Along with this, he also sacrificed his four sons to protect the country and religion. To pay tribute to such a great personality, we demand that Tughlaq Road in New Delhi, which symbolises Mughal-era subjugation, be renamed as Guru Gobind Singh Marg,” he added.
The Tughlaqs ruled over the Delhi Sultanate till the year 1413, over 100 years before the first Mughal, Babar, established his kingdom in the subcontinent.
Gupta continued: “The pride of Hindus.. pride of Mewar, who fiercely and resolutely fought the Mughals… on the occasion of Maharana Pratap’s 482nd birth anniversary (this year), we suggest that the name of Akbar Road should be changed to Maharana Pratap Marg. This will not only inspire our youth, but also the generations to come for a long time.”
Maharana Pratap fought Akbar in the 16th century at the battle of Haldighati, and though he was defeated, he evaded capture.
Aurangzeb, Babar, Humayun also fall out of favour
The Delhi BJP chief has also suggested renaming Aurangzeb Lane after former President of India and scientist Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Aurangzeb Road, also in Lutyens’ Delhi, has already been renamed after Kalam.
Gupta also demanded that Babar Lane be renamed Khudiram Bose Lane, after the “young revolutionary patriot” who sacrificed his life for the cause of India’s independence at the age of 18.
The letter also suggested renaming Humayun Road after Maharishi Valmiki, the creator of the epic Ramayana. “Humayun Road should be renamed as Maharishi Valmiki Road after the creator of the epic Ramayana, who through the life of Shri Ram, introduces us to the truth and duty of life,” Gupta added.
The letter also mentioned renaming Shahjahan Road after the former Army chief and India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, the late General Bipin Rawat.
“I hope that in this campaign of ours against these names that are symbolic of slavery, you will take cognisance of the same and give a quick decision,” he added.
(Edited by Poulomi Banerjee)
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