Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced that Fazil Nagar Assembly constituency in Kushinagar district will be renamed Pawagarh, honouring Jain Tirthankar Lord Mahavir. The Kushinagar district administration has already forwarded a formal renaming proposal to the Chief Minister's office.

The Renaming Announcement

Addressing a public gathering in Kushinagar, CM Yogi said the new name would give the area a distinct identity rooted in its spiritual heritage. 'A proposal has been sent to rename Fazilnagar as Pawagarh, which will connect the area with the legacy of Lord Mahavir and provide it with global recognition,' he stated. He added that the change would draw pilgrims and visitors from across India and the world, 'carrying forward the cultural legacy of Pawagarh.'

Development Projects Launched

Alongside the renaming announcement, CM Yogi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 278 projects worth over ₹424 crore in Kushinagar. He also distributed certificates, approval letters, and cheques to beneficiaries of various government schemes during the event.

Political Contrast and Governance Claims

The Chief Minister mounted a sharp attack on previous state governments, accusing them of 'prioritising anarchy over governance.' He claimed that while earlier administrations allegedly facilitated the production of country-made firearms that were used to loot citizens, the current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government had overseen the state's contribution to manufacturing BrahMos missiles for national defence.

Yogi also said that under the 'double-engine government,' encephalitis outbreaks and the influence of organised crime had been eliminated, replaced by what he described as an environment of growth, security, employment, and social harmony.

Kushinagar's Transformation: CM's Claims

CM Yogi described Kushinagar — a district he called 'the sacred land associated with Lord Ram's son Kush, Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavir' — as having overcome a decade-old identity crisis. He alleged that a decade ago, mining mafias operated freely, farmers were deprived of fair produce prices, and deaths due to hunger were reported among the Musahar community in the Fazilnagar and Kasaya areas.

Drawing a direct contrast with the previous Samajwadi Party administration, he said the district — once lacking a full-fledged medical facility — now has its own medical college, an agricultural and technical university, and an international airport.

What Comes Next

The renaming of Fazil Nagar to Pawagarh now awaits formal state government approval following the district administration's proposal. If cleared, it would join a series of place-name changes carried out by the Yogi government since 2017, part of a broader effort to align administrative nomenclature with the region's historical and religious identity.