‘UP-2’? Opposition slams as BJP Govt renames 11 Uttarakhand places after Hindu figures

The Uttarakhand government, led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, has announced the renaming of 11 places across Haridwar, Dehradun, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar districts. The move, aimed at honoring Hindu deities, mythological figures, and prominent BJP and RSS leaders, has triggered sharp political reactions.

Chief Minister Dhami defended the decision, stating that the renaming aligns with public sentiment and Indian cultural heritage. "These names are being changed in accordance with public sentiment and the contributions of great men who have preserved Indian culture," he said. The renamed locations include Aurangzebpur (now Shivaji Nagar), Gajiwali (Arya Nagar), Chandpur (Jyotiba Phule Nagar), Mohammadpur Jat (Mohanpur Jat), and several others.

However, opposition leaders have accused the BJP government of focusing on symbolic changes while ignoring Uttarakhand’s pressing challenges. Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav took a jibe at the ruling party, saying, "If this continues, they might as well rename Uttarakhand as Uttar Pradesh-2." The remark alludes to the state’s past, as Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh in 2000.

Congress MP Imran Masood also criticized the move, calling it a diversion from real governance issues. "Uttarakhand is struggling with corruption, unemployment, and large-scale youth migration. Instead of addressing these, the BJP is obsessed with renaming places," he said. Masood further argued that renaming towns and roads does nothing to improve infrastructure or employment opportunities in the state.

The renaming spree follows a broader pattern seen in several BJP-ruled states, where historical and Islamic-sounding names have been replaced with those linked to Hindu mythology and nationalist figures. While supporters of the move argue that it restores India’s cultural identity, critics see it as an attempt to polarize voters ahead of upcoming elections.