Plan to rename Mt Abu, ban booze: Will Rajasthan's only hillstation lose its charm?

Credit: @MountAbu/X

The Rajasthan government's plan to rename Mount Abu and impose bans on liquor and non-vegetarian food has ignited a fierce debate, with local stakeholders and political leaders sharply divided over the move.

However, the proposal has met with stiff resistance from the locals on Monday. According to a TOI report, 23 organisations in Mount Abu staged protests, warning that the renaming and bans would transform the hill station from a vibrant tourist destination into a religious pilgrimage site, threatening its appeal to visitors from across seven states.

A proposal to rename the state’s only hill station from Mount Abu to ‘Abu Raj Tirth’ was first floated in a municipal meeting in October 2024, but the controversy escalated after the Department of Local Self Governance sent a letter to the Mount Abu municipal body on 25 April seeking feedback on the change.

Official documents show that the Chief Minister’s Office has been involved in discussions since last year, with a decision potentially expected during the Chief Minister’s upcoming visit to the area in mid-May.

The push for renaming and the ban comes primarily from two local MLAs, Samaram Garasiya and Otaram Devasi (the latter also a Minister of State), who argue that the hill station’s original name, Aburaj, reflects its ancient religious significance. In their letter to the Chief Minister, they cite the presence of revered temples such as Devlwada Dahera, Achalgadh Shiv Mandir, Gaumukh and Guru Shikhar and claim that alcohol consumption and public meat sales disturb pilgrims and hurt local sentiments.

The debate also highlights Mount Abu’s rich history, having served as the summer headquarters of the East India Company’s Rajputana Agency from 1845 due to its pleasant climate. Locals fear that the proposed changes could undermine this legacy. The CM’s visit in the coming weeks is expected to be decisive.