Allahabad renamed to Prayagraj as UP Cabinet clears proposal
A couple of days after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced his plans to rename the historic city of Allahabad to Prayagraj, the UP Cabinet, on Tuesday, cleared the renaming proposal. Adityanath's proposal to rename the city ahead of the 2019 Kumbh Mela had seen opposition parties voice strong objections. However, despite objections, the deed has been done now. Here are the details.
The BJP has congratulated Adityanath for his initiative
On Saturday, during his visit to Allahabad UP CM Yogi Adityanath had announced his plans to rename Allahabad to Prayagraj, and had said that he had obtained the governor's permission for the doing the same. The BJP widely praised the move and congratulated CM Adityanath for removing 'Akbar ki Nishani' from Allahabad, and restoring the city's age-old identity.
Congress had said renaming Allahabad would destroy its identity
The Congress voiced objections to the move, saying that Allahabad had played a major role in the run up to, and after India's independence, and in that sense, had a unique identity steeped in history. Renaming the city would destroy its historical identity, the Congress further contended. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav slammed the BJP for renaming places, and not doing much else.
The Congress justifies its objections to Allahabad's renaming
"During Gandhi-era and fight for independence, Allahabad has been a centre for inspiration. In 1888, 1892 and then in 1910, Congress Mahaadhiveshans took place here, which gave shape to the freedom movement. The city gave the country its first Prime Minister," Congress had said.
