Assam CM proposes name change of places that sound derogatory to country, communities
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New Delhi: Stating that there was "much in a name", Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state government would be opening a portal that would allow citizens to suggest name changes for places that did not conform to national culture, or which were "derogatory" to communities in the state.
"There's much in a name. Name of a city, town or village should represent its culture, tradition & civilisation. We shall launch a portal to invite suggestions on change of names across Assam which are contrary to our civilisation, culture & derogatory to any caste or community," the CM tweeted.
A day ago, Sarma attended an event for a second medical college in Guwahati, where he said some places were named out of malice in some communities. According to a report in the Economic Times, Sarma said Guwahati's Kalapahar that was named after a Muslim general of the Bengal Sultanate who had attacked the Kamakhya temple, will definitely be changed.
"I have urged the local MLA to consult with the residents and suggest a name," he was quoted as saying in the report.
Sarma, who recently created a controversy during an election campaign for stating the BJP never asked for proof from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi about his father Rajiv Gandhi, further said the medical college coming up at Kalapahar would be named Pragjyotishpur Medical College.
Rahul Gandhi has been demanding that the Centre present proof of India's surgical strike in Pakistan in 2016 and airstrike in 2019. A separate row in the same issue is ongoing between Sarma and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, with the Assam chief posting "videograohic" evidence of the strikes to his counterpart, challenging him to explain why he is questioning the "valour" of the Armed Forces.
"He (Rahul Gandhi) seeks proof from our Army of the surgical strike. Did we ever ask you for proof of whether you are Rajiv Gandhi's son or not? What right do you have to demand proof from my Army?" Sarma said at a rally in Uttarakhand last week.
Following complaints, the Jubilee Hills Police have booked a case against Assam Chief Minister over the allegedly derogatory comments against Rahul Gandhi.