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BJP MP Wants Delhi Renamed Indraprastha, Cites Mahabharata Heritage

BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal has formally requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to rename Delhi as Indraprastha. He argues the change would honor the city's ancient heritage, linking it to the Mahabharata-era capital of the Pandavas. Khandelwal cites archaeological findings at Purana Qila as evidence supporting this historical connection. The proposal comes shortly after the Union Cabinet approved a separate name change for the state of Kerala to Keralam.

Key Points: BJP MP Seeks to Rename Delhi as Indraprastha

  • MP cites Mahabharata & archaeology
  • Proposal sent to Home Minister
  • Suggests statues of Pandavas
  • Follows Kerala name change approval
3 min read

"Rename Delhi to Indraprashta": BJP MP Khandelwal writes to Amit Shah

BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal writes to Amit Shah, proposing Delhi be renamed Indraprastha to honor its ancient Mahabharata-era roots.

"If Delhi is named Indraprastha, it directly reflects Delhi's culture, civilisation... - Praveen Khandelwal"

New Delhi, February 25

The Bharatiya Janata Party MP Praveen Khandelwal on Wednesday wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah asking for Delhi's name to be changed to Indraprastha to honour the city's ancient history.

In the letter by Praveen Khandelwal stated, "I am writing to draw your attention to an issue of profound historical and civilizational importance relating to the identity of our national capital, Delhi. As the capital of one of the world's oldest civilisations, it is only appropriate that the name of the city reflects its true historical roots and cultural legacy."

"Historical literature, archaeological findings, and long-standing civilizational traditions establish that the present-day Delhi corresponds to the ancient city of Indraprastha, the grand capital established by the Pandavas as described in the epic Mahabharata. The epic describes Indraprastha as a magnificent city built on the banks of the Yamuna River, precisely matching the geographical setting of modern Delhi," he added.

Khandelwal said that the present name Delhi does not adequately represent the ancient and original heritage of the city.

"Archaeological excavations conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India at Purana Qila have revealed ancient settlement layers dating back to around 1000 BCE, along with Painted Grey Ware pottery associated with the Mahabharata era. These findings strongly support the historical belief that the ancient city of Indraprastha once flourished at the site where Delhi stands today."

Meanwhile, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal, while speaking to ANI, said, "Any city is named after its culture and civilisation, so that the name reflects the city's culture and civilisation. Keeping this in mind, I have written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah today requesting that Delhi be named Indraprastha."

"If Delhi is named Indraprastha, it directly reflects Delhi's culture, civilisation, our food habits and our language. Apart from this, I have also requested that statues of the five Pandavas be installed at a suitable place in Delhi so that this flow of culture continues in this manner for generations," Praveen Khandelwal added.

Meanwhile, the Union Cabinet on Tuesday gave its approval to the proposal to change the name of Kerala to Keralam.

Briefing reporters after a meeting of the Union Cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the Kerala Alteration of Name Bill will be sent to the state assembly for its approval.

The decision comes ahead of the assembly polls in the state, slated for the first half of this year.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While I appreciate the historical sentiment, is this really a priority? Delhi is a global brand now. Think of the massive administrative cost and confusion for maps, documents, and international relations. Let's focus on improving the city's infrastructure and air quality first.
P
Priya S
As a history student, I find the archaeological evidence fascinating. Connecting modern Delhi to Indraprastha makes our ancient texts feel more tangible. But a name change is a huge step. Maybe we can have "Indraprastha" as an official ceremonial name, while keeping Delhi for common use?
V
Vikram M
First Keralam, now this? Feels like a political distraction ahead of elections. Delhi has been Delhi for centuries, through the Sultanate, Mughals, and British Raj. Its identity is layered. Why erase that complex history for a single narrative? This needs wider public consultation, not just a letter.
R
Rohit P
Statues of the Pandavas in Delhi would be amazing! It's about time we celebrated our indigenous heroes more prominently in the capital. Whether the name changes or not, installing those statues is a great idea to inspire the youth about our culture.
M
Meera T
The sentiment is good, but the execution matters. "Delhi" is deeply embedded in our hearts and daily language. What about the millions of people whose address, business cards, and identities are tied to the name? Any change must be gradual and considerate of the common citizen's practical life.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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