Jaipur: 'Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan' Renamed to Honor Ahilya Bai Holkar
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Synopsis
On April 25, 2023, the BJP-led government in Jaipur renamed the 'Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan' to 'Punyashlok Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Bhawan', prompting political controversy and criticism from opposition leader Tika Ram Jully.
Key Takeaways
- The building was renamed from 'Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan' to 'Punyashlok Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Bhawan'.
- The move has sparked a political debate in Jaipur.
- Opposition leader Tika Ram Jully condemned the renaming.
- The BJP has previously rebranded several initiatives from Congress rule.
- Ahilya Bai Holkar is celebrated for her contributions to administration and social reforms.
Jaipur, April 25 (NationPress) The ‘Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan’, situated within the Shiksha Sankul complex, has now been renamed as ‘Punyashlok Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Bhawan’. This decision by the BJP-led government under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has ignited a new political controversy.
Leader of Opposition and senior Congress figure Tika Ram Jully has vocally criticized the decision, labeling it a manifestation of the BJP’s “narrow-mindedness”.
He paid homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, emphasizing his role in advancing India’s educational reforms.
Expressing his thoughts on social media platform X, Jully remarked: “Changing the name of a building named after our great leader Rajiv Gandhi, who sacrificed his life for peace in the Indian subcontinent, reflects the BJP's narrow thinking. I strongly condemn this.”
He added that this is not the first occurrence, recalling that during Rajiv Gandhi's leadership, India experienced the inception of a new education policy and groundbreaking initiatives like Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas.
“The Ministry of Education was also rebranded as the Ministry of Human Resource Development under his guidance,” he noted.
Jully asserted that this is the second occasion the BJP has attempted to alter the name of Shiksha Sankul.
The BJP administration has rebranded several initiatives and establishments initiated during Congress governance.
Noteworthy examples include Mukhyamantri Bal Gopal Dudh Yojana transformed into Pannadhay Bal Gopal Yojana, Indira Gandhi Udaan Yojana renamed to Kalibai Bhil Udaan Yojana, Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence now referred to as Swami Vivekananda Scholarship, and Indira Rasoi changed to Annapurna Rasoi. Even the color of bicycles allocated to schoolgirls was reportedly modified.
Jully commented: “It seems the BJP lacks confidence in its own abilities to initiate new developmental work, hence it is merely rebranding the successes of previous administrations.”
Government sources assert that the renaming initiative aims to honor significant and inspirational figures from Indian history.
Ahilya Bai Holkar, after whom the building is now named, was an esteemed Maratha leader renowned for her excellent administration and social reforms.
The BJP contends that recognizing such figures fosters a connection between people and their local and cultural heritage.
