BJP govt renames 17 Muslim locations in Uttarakhand
Dehradun: As part of its ongoing efforts to erase Muslim identity across India, the BJP-led government has renamed 17 locations, all of which had names with Muslim connotations, in Uttarakhand state.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the locations that have undergone name changes include ten in Haridwar district, four in Dehradun, two in Nainital, and one in Udham Singh Nagar.
Aurangzebpur in Haridwar has been renamed Shivaji Nagar, Ghaziwali as Arya Nagar, Khanpur as Shri Krishnapur, and Khanpur Kursali as Ambedkar Nagar.
Likewise, Miyawala in Dehradun will now be called Ramjiwala, Chandpur Khurd as Prithviraj Nagar, Nawabi Road in Nainital has been renamed Atal Road, and Panchukki Marg has been renamed Guru Golwalkar Marg after the second RSS chief.
The ongoing renaming spree has raised concerns among human rights organizations and opposition leaders, who state that such moves only deepen the existing fault lines between communities, especially at a time when the country is grappling with growing religious tensions. Critics warn that renaming places to erase Muslim heritage is part of a larger strategy to rewrite history and create a more divisive political atmosphere.
