Congress Lok Sabha MP Karti Chidambaram criticized the BJP-led NDA government for its focus on renaming, stating it believes this will restore past glories. Chidambaram’s remarks come in response to the recent renaming of Rashtrapati Bhavan’s ‘Durbar Hall’ and ‘Ashok Hall’ to ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ and ‘Ashok Mandap,’ respectively.
Chidambaram expressed his views on the BJP’s pattern of altering the names of streets and public places, now extending to historic names within Rashtrapati Bhavan. He described this trend as unnecessary and lamented the loss of historical names that have been part of India’s legacy.
According to a statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan, the decision to rename the halls aims to reflect Indian cultural values and ethos. The office and residence of the President of India are viewed as national symbols and invaluable heritage. The renaming effort aligns with the government’s initiative to eliminate remnants of colonial influence, as terms like ‘Durbar,’ associated with courts of Indian rulers and the British Raj, have lost relevance in the republic era.
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President Droupadi Murmu endorsed the renaming, emphasizing the ongoing endeavor to make Rashtrapati Bhavan more accessible and culturally reflective.
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