Sambhal, November 15: Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi led central government for the name changing spree of cities, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel on Wednesday said if by merely changing names of cities can bring back India's glory then 125 crore Indians should be renamed as Lord Ram.

"In this country, if changing the names of cities could restore its glory, then I think all 125 crore Indians should be renamed as Lord Ram. The country is reeling under unemployment and farmers' issues but the Centre is busy with renaming cities and erecting idols," he stated.

The statement from Patel came just a few days after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared renaming of Faizabad as Ayodhya and Allahabad as Prayag Raj. Ram Mandir in Ayodhya: 'Lord Ram Himself Will Set the Date For Temple Construction', Says UP CM Yogi Adityanath.

A few weeks back, Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande had also reiterated the party's demand to change the name of Aurangabad to Sambhaji Nagar and to rename Osmanabad as Dharashiv. "The demand for the renaming of Aurangabad and Osmanabad into Sambaji Nagar and Dharashiv is not new to Shiv Sena. It has been our long-standing demand," Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande told ANI.