Slugfest over renaming of 15 places in Uttarakhand

Making this announcement during Eid and Navratri is questionable and unfortunate SURYAKANT DHASMANA, State Congress vice president

- HT Correspondent

DEHRADUN: A political slugfest has erupted over the renaming of 15 places in Uttarakhand, with the Congress accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of attempting to "polarise" the state along religious lines and divert public attention from key issues.

The BJP, in response, defended the move, stating that renaming places previously named after foreign invaders will help promote the state's heritage and culture.

On Monday evening, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the renaming of 15 places across four districts: Haridwar (8), Dehradun (4), Nainital (2), and Udham Singh Nagar (1).

"The renaming of various places is in accordance with public sentiment and Indian culture and heritage. This will inspire people by honoring the great figures who contributed to Indian culture and its preservation," he said after the announcement.

State BJP media in-charge Manveer Singh Chauhan echoed the sentiment, calling the decision a step toward promoting the country's heritage and culture.