BJP MP Proposes Renaming Delhi as Indraprastha
A BJP MP has called for renaming Delhi as Indraprastha to reconnect the city with its ancient roots, sparking debate. Historians caution that this risks erasing Delhi's multi-layered history, emphasizing its plural identity shaped by various eras.
Delhi BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal has proposed officially renaming the national capital 'Indraprastha,' citing its connection to the ancient capital of the Pandavas from the Mahabharata era. He also suggested renaming key infrastructure, such as the Old Delhi Railway Station and Indira Gandhi International Airport, and installing statues of the Pandavas. The proposal aims to restore Delhi's historical identity and aligns with Prime Minister Modi's vision of cultural resurgence. However, historians argue that such a move risks erasing the city's long and shared past, which includes Mughal, British, and other influences. They stress that Delhi's strength lies in its plural identity, blending myth and modernity, which a single name cannot fully capture.
