Uttarakhand Renames 11 Places in 4 Districts, Akhilesh Yadav Mocks It As ‘UP-2’

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced the renaming of 11 places across Haridwar, Dehradun, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar districts, triggering a sharp political backlash. The decision, aimed at reflecting Indian culture and heritage, has drawn criticism from opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who sarcastically suggested renaming the state “Uttar Pradesh-2.”

The renaming initiative, unveiled on Monday, seeks to honor Hindu deities, mythological figures, and notable BJP and RSS leaders. CM Dhami stated, “The names of various places are being changed in accordance with public sentiment and Indian culture and heritage. They are being named after great men who contributed to Indian culture and its preservation.”

The decision was formalized to align with the state’s identity as a spiritual and cultural hub, officials said.

In Haridwar, Aurangzebpur will now be called Shivaji Nagar, Gajiwali becomes Arya Nagar, Chandpur turns into Jyotiba Phule Nagar, Mohammadpur Jat is renamed Mohanpur Jaat, Khanpur becomes Shri Krishnapur, Khanpur Kursali shifts to Ambedkar Nagar, Idrishpur changes to Nandpur, and Akbarpur Fajalpur is now Vijaynagar.

Dehradun sees Miyanwala renamed as Ramjiwala, Pirwala as Kesari Nagar, Chandpur Khurd as Prithviraj Nagar, and Abdullapur as Dakshnagar. In Nainital, Nawabi Road will be known as Atal Marg, and Panchakki-ITI Marg becomes Guru Golwalkar Marg. In Udham Singh Nagar, Sultanpur Patti is renamed Kaushalyapuri.

The announcement has ignited a political storm. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav took a dig at the move, saying, “Uttarakhand ka naam bhi Uttar Pradesh-2 kar dijiye,” referencing Uttarakhand’s history as part of Uttar Pradesh until its formation as a separate state on November 9, 2000.

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Congress MP Imran Masood also criticized the BJP-led government, alleging it was sidestepping pressing issues. “Uttarakhand is in dire straits. These leaders are indulging in politics of renaming. The state is grappling with rampant corruption, and our youth are migrating,” he said.

Uttarakhand’s separation from Uttar Pradesh in 2000 was driven by demands for a distinct hill state identity. The renaming of places, often tied to Mughal-era references, aligns with a broader trend of revising historical nomenclature seen in several BJP-ruled states.

The state government maintains that the changes reflect local aspirations and reverence for cultural icons, despite the opposition’s claims of political posturing.

The ruling BJP has defended the decision, asserting it resonates with public sentiment. The party views the renaming as a step toward reclaiming India’s cultural legacy, a stance echoed by CM Dhami during his announcement on Monday.

No official response has been issued to the opposition’s remarks, but the government appears committed to implementing the changes across the four districts..