Now, Shimla to be Renamed 'Shyamala'? Himachal Pradesh Govt Takes Cue From Allahabad Turning Prayagraj

Shimla, October 20: Days after the Uttar Pradesh government renamed the renowned town of Allahabad as 'Prayagraj', another BJP-ruled state is mulling over changing the name of an iconic city. The Himachal Pradesh government is now considering to turn Shima into 'Shyamala'.

Giving credence to the speculations, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday said the administration would be seeking public opinion to rename the state capital. In the pre-colonial era, he said, the city was known as Shyamala. "The British arrived and later changed it to Shimla," he added. Allahabad Becomes Prayagraj: Know the History Behind the Name.

Notably, Shimla had served as the summer capital for the British administration between 1864 to 1947 -- when the country claimed independence from the British monarchy.

BJP leader and State health minister Vipin Parmar said "there is no harm" of the government attempts to remove the stains of colonial imperialism.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), ideologically linked to the ruling BJP, has long petitioned for renaming Shimla as Shyamala. VHP state unit chief Aman Puri said the resistance to such a move stems from "mental slavery", adding that people of an independent nation often clinch on to the language and terms used by their "erstwhile oppressors".

In 2016, several right-wing groups had demanded the then government to rename the city of Shimla. However, the then chief minister Virbhadra Singh had turned down the demand, claiming that tourism would be affected as Shimla has turned into a world-renowned destination.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 20, 2018 08:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).