Union Minister General (retd) VK Singh's proposal to change the name of Akbar Road in Delhi to Maharana Pratap Road has stirred a hornet's nest. After his suggestion, actor Rishi Kapoor has also jumped into the debate.
Rishi Kapoor questioned why several organisations in India are named after members of the Gandhi-Nehru family.
"We must name important assets of the country who have contributed to society. Har cheez Gandhi ke naam? I don't agree. Sochna log! Why Indira G airport International? Why not Mahatma Gandhi or Bhagat Singh Ambedkar or on my name Rishi Kapoor. As superficial! What say?," he tweeted on Tuesday.
Lashing out at the Congress' first family, he said if names of roads in Delhi can be changed why can't names of Congress assets/property be renamed. "Change Gandhi family assets named by Congress. Bandra/Worli Sea Link to Lata Mangeshkar or JRD Tata link road. Baap ka maal samjh rakha tha? If roads in Delhi can be changed why not Congress assets/property ke naam? Was in Chandigarh wahan bhi Rajeev Gandhi assets? Socho? Why?," he added.
He even stated that his father Raj Kapoor had made the country proud. "Raj Kapoor has made India proud over the years all over even after his death. Certainly more than What has been perceived by politics," he asserted.
His remarks came on a day when General (retd) Singh wrote to the Centre asking for Delhi's Akbar Road to be renamed Maharana Pratap Road. Addressing the letter to Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu, Singh said, "Maharana Pratap has not been given his due. You would be aware he is not only instrumental in stopping the might of Mughal King Akbar but was a truly secular man of the masses."
Reports had suggested that Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had requested Singh to make efforts to get the road renamed after the 16th century Mewar ruler, who is known for his fight against the Mughals.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, on the other hand, wants several cities and states renamed. The Sangh wants Ahmedabad to be called Karnavati because it was rebuilt by Raja Karan Dev. Aurangabad should be named Sambajinagar after Shivaji's son Sambaji, who was captured and killed by the Mughals. Kerala should be called Keralam and Hyderabad should be christened Bhagyanagar after goddess Bhagya Laxmi.
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