Delhi to be renamed Indraprastha? BJP MP writes to Amit Shah after Kerala’s name change | India News
New Delhi: BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal on Wednesday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting that national capital Delhi be renamed as Indraprastha, following the Centre’s recent approval to rename Kerala as “Keralam”.“In his letter, Khandelwal argued that the name Delhi reflected only a later historical phase, where Indraprastha linked the city to its ancient civilizational roots.
“As such, the name ‘Delhi’ reflects a limited historical period rather than the city’s deeper and longer-lasting legacy. Reclaiming the name Indraprastha would therefore reconnect the capital of modern India with its ancient civilizational foundations. It will symbolize that the seat of the world’s largest democracy stands on the legacy of one of humanity’s oldest cultural traditions,” Khandelwal wrote.MP highlighted the historical and archaeological evidence linking modern Delhi, the capital of the Pandavas as described in the Mahabharata. Excavations at Puran Qila have revealed settlement layers dating back to 1000 BC, along with artifacts related to that era, supporting the ancient heritage of the city.Khandelwal also outlined specific proposals, including renaming Old Delhi Railway Station as “Indraprastha Junction” and Indira Gandhi International Airport as “Indraprastha Airport”. He suggested installing statues of Pandavas at prominent places to educate the younger generation about the historical and cultural importance of the city.“Delhi has a special place among India’s oldest cultural heritage. It is not merely a metropolis, but has been the center of Indian civilization, embodying the traditions of religion, governance and democracy,” Khandelwal wrote. “Renaming it will reconnect us with our roots and usher in a new chapter of cultural revival.”He cited examples of other cities reclaiming their historical names, including Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Prayagraj, Ayodhya and Kashi, arguing that such steps restore historical justice and strengthen national pride.A day ago, the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Modi approved the proposal to change the name of Kerala to ‘Keralam’. The move followed a unanimous resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly on June 24, 2024, urging the Center to amend the First Schedule of the Constitution to reflect the name ‘Kerala’. The assembly had earlier passed a similar resolution in August 2023, but the home ministry suggested technical changes, urging the state to take it up again.Kerala’s move to rename has sparked a political row, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioning why a similar proposal is pending for her state. The Trinamool Congress has accused the Center of “vindictive discrimination”, highlighting that West Bengal has repeatedly requested the name “Bangla” since 2018.
